DEAR News Of The Area,

WITH the cost to ratepayers for the change of Council’s name (logos, signage, stationery etc) in mind, and with the fiasco of the $76 million (again subsidised by ratepayers!) still evolving, I was wondering if Council has a dedicated department to concoct ways of spending ratepayers’ money?

The previous council, on receiving some complaints about the ‘free’ bulky items pick-ups (albeit being funded from, you guessed it, ratepayers), decided to cancel the ‘service’, and change to the current format of ‘book and pay’ for two months of the year!

Given that Coffs Harbour residents and businesses pay some of the highest rates in Australia, wouldn’t it have been more appropriate (probably more popular?) to reinstate the ‘free’ bulky items service to the residents of Coffs Harbour?

With the ages and health of many Coffs residents a major consideration, especially with mobility issues, moving a fridge or washing machine is a difficult task, whereas getting family or neighbours to lend a hand and get the items out to the kerb is much easier.

As happened before five years ago, Council could put out newspaper ads with the new logo, notifying designated areas when and where residents’ bulky items would be picked up.

Wouldn’t that “reflect the dynamic status’ of the City of Coffs Harbour?

Best regards,
Peter BLACK,
Bonville.