Current ads
Jobs
Tenders
Notices
General

Click below

City considers tough dump fees

New moves would prohibit disposal of car, truck bodies

JOHN THOMPSON

Rusty cars and trucks could become a far more common sight in the yards of Iqaluit homes, if city council's public works committee has its way.

This Tuesday the committee voted unanimously in favour of recommending a new fee schedule for the dump. These changes would make car and truck bodies unacceptable waste, as of May 1, 2006.

"I have a rusty old van in my back yard I want to get rid of. What I do need to do if I want to get rid of it, as of May 1?" asked Coun. Brad Hall.

That shouldn't just be the city's problem, replied Public Works director Mark Hall, who said he hopes retailers and higher levels of government will step in.

"There needs to be some individual responsibility," he said.

The Government of Nunavut's Department of Environment is looking into salvaging scrap metal, Hall said. He suggested councilors need to send a strong message to the GN that this program is needed.

"I think if council would force this issue a little bit, it would force action from higher levels of government."

New fees would also be applied to residents dropping off old tires, oil tanks, fridges and stoves, snowmobiles and other bulky items.

Automobile batteries would also cost $30 to dispose of, which Hall said reflects the cost paid by the city for safely packaging and shipping the items south.

Deputy Mayor Glenn Williams said he's concerned this could prompt residents unable to pay the fee to dump their used batteries into the bay, or out on the land.

Councilors and staff agreed that if the new fee was accepted by council, they would track the number of batteries sold in town, compared with the number dropped off at the dump.

Because council needs to pass several readings of the proposed changes before they become law, the new fees probably won't come into effect before March.

Commercial, government and industrial collection fees would also increase by 50 per cent. Those fees haven't increased since 1998.

The extra revenue would provide $84,000 to offset waste management services and $50,000 to create a vehicle and equipment reserve fund.

There are no plans to increase residential garbage fees at this time, Hall said.

Advertising
Specs, rates,
& maps
Multi-paper
buying services
About the market
E-mail ad dept

More Information