They are the three Rs that have long defined the fundamentals of local councils: roads, rates and rubbish. Despite basic service delivery being the bread and butter of local governments, a suburban Melbourne council has attracted the fiery frustration of residents over a decision to separate charges for rubbish collection from its general rates.
At a Yarra city council meeting on Tuesday night, residents from an area known for its community activism protested against a new waste levy charge for ratepayers being passed. In the eyes of disgruntled residents, the separate levy – which is also applied by various councils across Victoria and in some other states – is a “bin tax”.
