A war of words has broken out between Muswellbrook Shire Councillors over the changes to red bin garbage collections.
Deputy Mayor Graham McNeil told the Hunter Valley Newsroom yesterday, the additional cost for those who need an extra bin or to maintain weekly pick-ups equates to less than a cup of coffee a week.
But Councillor Jeff Drayton, who voted against the decision, said there are a lot of people in our community at the moment who are really struggling.
“It’s absolutely not my view at all. I’ve spoke to councillors, not just those who voted against it but councillors who supported it the other day and it’s absolutely not their view,” Councillor Drayton said.
“A few hundred dollars to people, particularily people with larger families , this who will affect the most who will have the least ability to pay, I’d be guessing might not even buy a coffee a week or a year.”
Mr Drayton was one of the four councillors who voted against the move and said many of his colleagues failed to take on board the concerns of residents.
Councillor Drayton said it is also unrealistic to expect ratepayers to apply for a hardship exemption if they can’t afford to pay for maintaining weekly red garbage bin collections and or an extra bin.
The motion cited the hardship policy is available for locals and would be reviewed with this issue in mind.
“There are too many hoops to jump through to gain an exemption including getting letters from a medical professional, a letter from a financial adviser, incoming and outgoing expenses and bank statements,” he said.
