Perth Voice Interactive

BAYSWATER city council has voted down issuing ratepayers a $5.66 carbon tax refund.
The council had netted $169,050 by charging ratepayers extra because of the tax, which was then abolished in July.

“Whilst it is believed that the city is not legally required to refund these monies, there may be an expectation that ratepayers are entitled to a refund of the carbon tax component from the fees and charges in relation to waste disposal fees received after 1 July 2014 to June 2015,” wrote Bayswater staffers.

The council decided to bank the $169,050 in a waste management reserve account rather than offer refunds or rebates.

The council collects about 24,500 tonnes of general waste per year.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK