WATTLE Range Council has delivered further “please explain” messages to State Government and Mount Gambier City Council regarding increased waste management charges.
The rises have been a sticking point for the local council for several months and had to be incorporated into its $26m 2020/21 budget, which was adopted at Tuesday night’s special meeting.
The latest opposition was headed by councillor John Drew with his successful motion calling on the State Government and City Council to justify the increases.
“Council is not just rubber-stamping our budget,” Cr Drew said.
The State Government announced a significant increase in its solid waste levy in its 2019/20 budget while City Council has increased the charges at its Caroline dump where Wattle Range sends its waste.
Member for MacKillop Nick McBride and City Council have been approached for comment.
Meanwhile, council debated its budget for around 40 minutes before endorsing much of the original circulated draft document.
Acting chief executive Paul Duka said the significant changes were the capital projects at Millicent, Beachport, Mount Burr and Penola which would be part-funded by a $630,000 Federal Government stimulus grant.
Requests for grants from the Foodbank and Stand Like Stone Foundation charities were not met but will be considered in the new financial year.
Cr Paltridge said he was happy to leave the requests for a couple of months and pointed out the foundation had delivered projects worth $80,000 in the Wattle Range Council area in the past year.
Cr Sharon Cox asked if council was still hiring vehicles to transport outside work crews to comply with the COVID-19 protocols.
In reply, engineering services director Peter Halton said this was still being done to comply with the one-in-four square metre rule.
“When we get down to one-in-two metres, we can get rid of the utes,” Mr Duka added, with that change in density rules occuring Monday.
Cr Cox said fitness classes had ceased at the Beachport Recreation Centre owing to a lack of insurance.
Development services director Steve Chapple said an affordable form of insurance was available to not-for-profit groups via the Local Government Association.
Cr Kevin McGrath suggested the 2020/21 budget should reflect the anticipated hardship claims worth up to $20,000 from eight winter sports clubs facing no income.
However, Cr Peter Dunnicliff argued changes should not be made.
“Unless it is urgent, do not change the budget,” Cr Dunnicliff said.
“We have spent a lot of time on it.”
A lighter moment was provided by Cr Drew after Mr Duka explained council’s Gladys Smith Early Learning Centre in Millicent would benefit from further Federal Government fee subsidies.
“I had a word with the Prime Minister,” Cr Drew said to much mirth.
Cr Dale Price expressed his disappointment rate rebates worth $90,000 were provided to the former Housing Trust properties now managed by Unity Housing.
Cr Price said other councils such as Mount Gambier were not lumbered with this impost.
“It sticks in my throat,” Cr Price said.
