FAQs
Are my waste collection and disposal costs included in my Rates fee?
Waste collection and disposal is one of the highest costs that Councils manage each year.
Councils use one of two primary methods to charge waste collection and disposal costs:
1. Include Waste charges with general Rates fees:
Some Councils include these costs in the general Rates fee which means those with higher value properties pay more for waste management than those with lower value properties for essentially the same service.
Pensioners can claim a rebate on their Rates each year which is funded by the State Government so that Councils are not adversely impacted by this in being able to deliver services for the Community.
2. Separate Waste charges and Rates fees:
Other Councils, such as the City of Kalamunda, prefer to have waste costs separated out to be more equitable to all residences. This does not provide for State Government funded rebates for Pensioners on the waste component on their rates notice.
The City of Kalamunda is one of the few Councils that have separate waste charges and provide pensioners with a discount on waste charges.
What does my waste and disposal charges cover?
The City of Kalamunda has a separate easily identifiable waste management charge, to encourage waste minimisation. This charge is levied for your property’s rubbish service for the year.
This fee covers your weekly household rubbish pick-up/disposal plus your fortnightly recycling pick-up/processing, plus an on-request service Skip Bin service where residents are entitled to any combination of up to three skip bins which can be selected from either a general waste bin (blue) or green waste bin (green) of (3) cubic metres in size.
Further the City operates the Walliston Transfer Station and provides Ratepayers with an Entry Pass in their rates notice entitling them to unlimited entries to dispose of green waste, unlimited entries to dispose of agreed recyclable materials and Four (4) general waste entries for non-commercial waste.
Additionally keeping the City Clean by emptying Public Street & Park Bins, sweeping streets, collecting litter and illegally dumped waste.
The total of these operating costs is then divided by the number of properties able to receive these services to work out the individual waste management charge that shows up as a separate amount on your Rates Assessment Notice.
Note: A Waste Service charge may also be described as a Refuse Service charge.
Why are we consulting with the community
The City of Kalamunda is seeking community feedback on the current Pensioner discounts that we provide for eligible customers regarding their Annual Waste Charges and ascertain if there is a view of a need to change.
What other rebates or concessions are available in regard to Rates?
A rates concession, funded by the State Government, may be available from the date of registration for eligible registered Pensioners and Seniors who become eligible after 1 July of the current rating year. Ratepayers can register for their concession on the internet via watercorporation.com.au or apply over the phone to the Water Corporation on 1300 659 951.
How can I provide feedback?
The City of Kalamunda is encouraging residents to provide feedback by completing our Survey, or alternatively, written submissions can be submitted to the City via.
Online: engage.kalamunda.wa.gov.au
By Post: PO Box 42, Kalamunda, WA 6926.
In Person: 2 Railway Road, Kalamunda WA 6076
By Email: enquiries@Kalamunda.wa.gov.au
Where can I get more information?
For more information contact the City of Kalamunda on 9257 9999 or enquiries@Kalamunda.wa.gov.au. We will also keep you informed through website updates, by telephone or face to face conversations if that is your preferred method of communication. Please let us know.
What will happen with the results?
Following the public comment period, the Community feedback will be gathered and reviewed by the Assets Project Team.
The results of the community survey, and other feedback will be presented to Council for consideration and endorsement.
Once endorsed the 2022-23 Rates notices will be adjusted depending on the outcome.