GEORGE NEWS - Rising fuel costs are the reason why both businesses and residential homes have seen an increase in tariffs for refuse removal - far above the expected 9% annual increase as initially calculated.

The manager of two shopping centres in town noticed a very steep increase in refuse removal for the two sites since the tariff increase on 1 July. 

Although an increase of 9% was expected, the centres now have to deal with a increase of over 56% for the removal of their refuse. The same manager also noticed that her personal refuse removal is now costing her almost 20% more than before.

George Herald checked the municipal accounts of both centres and the manager, and noticed that it is indeed so. The manager said she is in charge of the centre's accounts and was shocked to see the massive increase in tariffs. 

She said feedback from the municipality did not ease her worries and she hoped others would double-check their refuse removal increase as well.

 "I think many centre owners have others who do their management, and might not have noticed the steep increase themselves. We used to pay R8 071,69 per month, for each centre, now the cost of refuse removal climbed to R12 650."

Feedback on the matter from George Municipality's spokesperson Chantèl Edwards suggests that the rising fuel costs had to be considered with further increases. 

"The initial calculation on the service for the draft budget was at 9%. However, on updating of the tariff list, it was considered that certain tariffs needed to be amended to be cost-reflective and as such the percentage increase for the tariff for the collection of black bags was increased accordingly. 

"This included an additional R10 charge per month (for the recycling service, i.e. green and blue bags supply and removal, which had not been charged for before), bringing the total to a basic of R277 not including Vat," said Edwards.

"In terms of the business removal, it is correct that the bulk container cost has increased. Again, this is to ensure that cost-reflective tariffs are applied and that rising fuel costs are considered. Businesses do have an option to assess their refuse requirements and they can move to using black wheelie bins, which are considerably cheaper. 

"George Municipality requests that businesses that wish to explore the options available, please make contact with our Finance Department on 044 801 9010, or email their query to accounts@george.gov.za with their account details."

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