Cost of disposing of rubbish triples

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34147, 7 May 1976, Page 17

Cost of disposing of rubbish triples

Rubbish disposal this year will probably cost' the Christchurch City [Council almost three times as much as wasj provided for in last■ year’s estimates. That rise was a major factor in preliminary estimate increases considered by the works and traffic committee on Wednesday. Most of the increase is because of the need for cover material ar. the Bexley tip. While the council estimated disposal costs at $135,000 last year, they actually reached $289,655. They are expected to jump toi $376,000 this year. In the past, much of the fill material could be ob-' tained free from council ■street-works excavations and private developers. Both of those sources have largely dried up, and the council must pay for much of the tip cover. It spent $185,000 ■ for the material this year. More efficient covering practices have also been[ forced by increased public l pressure for a “cleaner" tip, and residential building closer to the site. Over-all. committee members recommended that $7.5m be spent on works and traffic this year, an in-

[crease of $663,723 on actual last year. I The council’s general rate. [would have to increase 27 [per cent for that department [to meet the estimated spending. The total would represent a 12 per cent increase! on last year. But the Mayor (Mr H. G. ■ Hay) reminded councillors ■ that figures were liable to be; reduced in some areas dur- i ing the estimates committee ! process. One question will be whether the council can afford to spend $200,000 for■ street-works property puch- ; ases without having the I boost of a Government sub- [ sidy. ■ Final 1975-76 figures 'showed that the department ■ overspent only about 2 per 'cent. Receipts in all cash accounts were above estij mates. The small gap belt ween income and spending I came in spite of a 57 per [cent increase in plant operating costs, and an 18 per I cent increase in wages. j Total money for construction will be down by [5208,000 this year. and money for street construction is $390,000 less than last year. i The Ministry of Works iand Development construction index for June is exi peered to show a 25 per_

'cent in< rease in roao construction costs. Councillors included $lO,OOO in the estimate: for the Government s subsidised unemployment scheme Maintenance of streets and [bridges cost $490,189 las’ I year, up from an estimate of ■ $395,000. The committee inI eluded $466,000 tn the prej liminary estimates for mainItenance this year.