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Waste Charges FAQs

The Rural Waste Management Charge is the contribution rural ratepayers make towards the running costs of operating the Waste Management Facilities. It is not for the kerbside collection. By law all waste must be taken to a waste facility and must not be landfilled on rural properties. Residents that pay for and receive a kerbside waste collection service are also charged for additional waste they generate and drop off at waste management facilities.

All waste generated in the LGA must be transported to the existing Long Swamp Road landfill where it is sorted to maximise waste diversion, recycling and reuse principles. The purpose of the Regional Landfill Operation Charge is to cover the operating costs of the Regional Landfill on Waterfall Way and is charged to all property assessments in the LGA.
 

The Regional Landfill Levy is charged to all rate assessments in the LGA to cover part of the capital cost of the Regional Landfill on Waterfall Way. The capital cost is over $12 million. All landfill waste in the LGA will go the Waterfall Way facility. The Regional Landfill Levy has been reduced for 2023/24 to $105 (from $155 in 2022/23).

From the early 1990s, it became apparent that the existing landfill at Long Swamp Road in Armidale would reach capacity early in the 21st century. The decision was made to build a new landfill on a site 12km east of Armidale. This would be a landfill only and not open to the public. This would allow the existing waste services infrastructure to be available for sorting, recycling and organics processing within easy access for the community. Environmental issues with the previous landfill in Guyra require extensive rehabilitation. Both Armidale & Guyra’s waste is now being taken to the Regional Landfill on Waterfall Way, after the sorting process at Long Swamp Road.

We use a system of user-pay self-disposal. This means that if you have additional green waste to dispose the cost is bared by you and not shared equally by each and every resident. As a result, the cost of disposal for additional green waste is higher per tonne compared to the average price shared amongst residents for the fortnightly green waste disposal.

There is no active landfill in Guyra. The facility at Everett Street Guyra is a waste transfer station and cannot operate as a landfill. Unfortunately, previous landfilling activities at the Guyra Waste Management Facility resulted in the site being assessed by NSW EPA as a safety and environmental risk to the area.

Approximately 40 sites were assessed by the former Armidale Dumaresq Council and EPA. This was then narrowed down to 12 options. The site of the landfill on Waterfall Way met the landfill siting guidelines criteria, would have the least impact on the community and has the capacity to accept waste for decades.

Ratepayers who can access a kerbside collection service pay a Domestic Waste Service charge. Rural ratepayers who cannot access a kerbside collection do not. Rural residents pay a Rural Waste Management Charge. For 2023/24 the increase for Guyra rural residents now harmonises to the same amount that Armidale rural ratepayers are paying. This charge ensures that Council can continue to provide a quality waste service and equitably recover the cost to provide these services to the community.

While kerbside collection may appear to be a convenient option for the disposal of bulky waste, it is generally the most expensive option for a council to use.

It also encourages poor waste behavior leading to more overall waste ending up in our general waste instead of being recycled.