Changes in Tamala Park’s gate fees
Camera IconChanges in Tamala Park’s gate fees Credit: Supplied/Emma Reeves

MRC levied with higher rates charge

Staff ReporterNorth Coast Times

Mindarie Regional Council will have to pay extra land rates to the City of Wanneroo in 2013-14 because its offshoot, Tamala Park Regional Council, has started developing Catalina Estate, according to a City director.

Corporate strategy and performance director John Paton said the valuation of MRC land, calculated by the Valuer General’s office, had increased as a result of TPRC developing land adjacent to the Tamala Park landfill site.

‘The increase in valuation occurred for the 2012-13 rating year and impacted on the valuation utilised to calculate the council rates and Emergency Services Levy,’ Mr Paton said.

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According to a report on MRC’s budget for this year, the higher land rates accounted for most of a 105 per cent increase in utility costs. About another $32,700 related to increased electricity costs after MRC converted a leachate compressor from diesel to electricity.

Several other factors resulted in the MRC increasing its gate fees for member councils from $137 per tonne to $149 per tonne, affecting the cities of Joondalup, Wanneroo, Stirling, Perth and Vincent, plus the towns of Victoria Park and Cambridge.

The minimum entry fee for the waste transfer station will also increase, from $12 to $15.

‘This is still low in comparison with other facilities,’ MRC chairman Russ Fishwick said.

‘It also means people can bring in a greater amount of waste before the tonnage rate kicks in.’

Cr Fishwick said people should offload recyclables and items with a re-use value, such as furniture, bicycles and household goods, at the recycling centre and tip shop before crossing the weighbridge.