Large refuse charges hike ‘inevitable’

HOUSEHOLDERS in Waterford face the prospect of one of the largest ever hikes in refuse charges from January as the county council struggles to meet the increasing cost of providing the service.

But the scale and impact of the increase won’t be clear until about a week after next month’s Budget, according to head of finance with Waterford County Council, Michael Quinn.

The local authority is still hopeful that money will be provided from government coffers to help it meet the cost of capping two of the region’s landfills. A €140 flat fee is being mooted by some as a way of helping meet the e10 million cost of dealing with the landfill sites.

Mr Quinn declined to speculate on the percentage increase but said it would be larger than in previous years. He said the council is obliged to present a balanced budget and has to have regard to the ‘polluter pays’ principle.

“An increase is inevitable, given the increased costs we are facing without a change in the service provided.

“Our Tramore landfill is due to close at the end of the year. Dungarvan has already closed. We’re not facing a major crisis for 2005. But 2006 will be a lot more difficult,” Mr Quinn said.

The local authority also faces the prospect of a black hole of €1.5m in its finances by the end of the year because of the increasing cost of disposing of waste outside of the county, it has already warned.

Waste is being transported to Carlow. The transport costs, which have been put at €700,000 per annum, coupled with the loss of revenue at the council’s own landfill of a further €720,000 per annum, will put the council under major financial pressure.

Earlier this week, Fine Gael’s John Deasy said it was high time for the Government to make a decision whether to part-finance the €10m capping works or not. He wants local councillors not to hike up the charges until the Government gives a clear decision on the €10m bill.

“Councillors are almost resigned to large hikes, including a €140 flat household charge on top of the bin tags, which may go up as well. It would be extremely unwise to settle on waste charges until the Government has given us an answer,” Deputy Deasy said.

When last in Waterford in May, Environment Minister Dick Roche said he had put together a task force within his department to deal with “legacy issues.”