Chelsea • Mordialloc • Mentone ...Don’t miss securing that wanted property ✓ Immediate access to Bond & Rent ✓ Move into that property now ✓ Fast prompt assistance ✓ Easy terms and conditions ✓ No upfront fees and charges ✓ Pre approval before finding a property ✓ We can assist with transfer of bonds between properties
YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S ON THIS WEEKEND FOR PENINSULA FAMILIES FACEBOOK:
peninsulakids.com.au INSTRGRAM: mornpenkids
WE CAN ASSIST YOU WITH IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO BOND AND RENT
✆1300 554 470
An independent voice for the community
Your weekly community newspaper covering news from Carrum to Mentone For all your advertising and editorial needs, call us on 03
FREE
2-4 Chelsea Rd, Chelsea VIC 3196 Fax: 03 9776 2929 Email: info@bondassist.com.au
www.bondassist.com.au
Wednesday 16 May 2018
5973 6424 or email: team@baysidenews.com.au www.baysidenews.com.au
Recycling charge up ‘China crisis’ forces rise Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au
Digging it Todd and Cleo are shovel ready at the opening of a new pathway at Parkdale Preschool. See page 8. Picture: Gary Sissons
RATEPAYERS across Kingston face a rise in charges for recycling after China banned almost all recycling materials previously sold to China from Australia. Any items with a plastics or paper component of just 0.5 per cent can no longer be sent to China as part of that country’s push to stop “foreign rubbish” imports. Kingston councillors voted at a special meeting held on Monday 13 May to discuss council’s draft budget and decided to pass on a $25 increase annually for each household in the municipality. Council CEO John Nevins said the draft budget had originally forecast “a minor increase of $13 per property” but this had risen to $31 per household. Councillors voted on Monday to absorb $6 of the rise per household and pass on a $25 increase instead. “Unfortunately the ongoing volatility in the recycling market means that local governments are now facing greater costs than first expected with Kingston facing increased costs of approximately $31 per household to ensure the recycling service can continue,” Mr Nevins said. “While many councils are passing on the increases in full to ratepayers, Kingston Council has decided to share the burden of the increased
recycling costs and will pay $6 per household and pass on the remaining $25 increase. As a result, Kingston Council has reissued its advertised draft budget to reflect this change.” The CEO said council will now look at making $400,000 in annual savings across its budget to fund the $6 absorption. Councils across Victoria are being forced to increase recycling charges as the China crisis begins to bite in the recycling chain. The charge is separate to rates and is not capped under the Labor state government’s rate capping policy introduced in 2016. Rates are capped at a limit calculated using the consumer price index annual rise as a benchmark. Neighbouring Frankston Council last month flagged a $38 annual rise for its ratepayers. Councils can apply to the Essential Services Commission for an exemption to increase rates above the cap in “exceptional circumstances”. Federal Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg met state environment ministers in Melbourne late last month to discuss how Australia can avoid a recycling pile-up on its shores. Mr Frydenberg announced after the meeting the federal government will work with state governments to try to make almost all packaging reusable or compostable by 2025.
New generation TOP-UP hearing aids now FREE* Eligible pensioners and veterans are entitled to FREE hearing aids through the government’s hearing services scheme*, or they can pay extra (TOP-UP) for hearing aids with additional or more advanced features. As an EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER, Hidden Hearing is providing eligible pensioners and veterans with certain TOP-UP hearing aids incorporating the
latest generation technology (valued at $3,000) FREE OF CHARGE until the END OF JUNE.
CALL NOW to book your FREE hearing assessment and start hearing better again.
The choice is yours, either a discreet deep canal aid or a miniature receiver in canal aid. In both cases the aids will be small and discreet, and programmed to your specific hearing levels and unique personal needs.
1800 717 717
www.hiddenhearing.com.au
HIDDEN,, UH EARING "A hearing loss is more noticeable than a hearing aid"
*Conditions and eligibility requirements apply under the Commonwealth Hearing Services Voucher System. Offer ends June 30th, 2018.