Rubbish bags in Carterton will cost $2 each from July 1 under the proposed long-term plan.
Carterton District Council has in previous years delivered 26 rubbish bags to households but say charging will encourage recycling and limit throwaway waste. The decision to charge is opposed by Carterton resident Matthew Morris, who
presented his oral submission to a special meeting of the district council on the proposed amended 2006-16 Long Term Council Community Plan incorporating the 2007/08 Annual Plan yesterday.
"This move places additional strain on the elderly and low-income members of the community who will likely turn to dumping waste rather than waste minimisation and purchasing bags directly," he said in a written submission. "I propose that council consider supplying 26 bags to people who qualify for the rates rebate or other low-income support programme to provide assistance to the members of the community who need it, while the effect of removing rubbish bags within the rest of the community is monitored."
Encouraging recycling and composting and reducing throw-out rubbish are the reasons for the charge cited in the plan. The $2 a bag charge includes rubbish collection and disposal costs. South Wairarapa District Council charges $7 for a bundle of 10 rubbish bags and has never had a household delivery scheme. Masterton District Council charges $9.20 for five rubbish bags.
MDC distributed 26 rubbish bags twice-yearly to homes from 1993 to early 2002 funded through a $59.50 rates charge, utility services manager James Li said.
