Douglas Shire Council will slash the cost of key fees and charges to benefit small business and the environment in the new financial year.

Council today adopted the 2015/16 Fees and Charges schedule which capped increases to 3.6 per cent for the vast majority of items, with significant concessions made in some areas to provide some relief for small businesses and encourage better environmental practices.

Reductions in fees and charges in 2015/16 to benefit the environment will include:

• 36 per cent reduction in the cost of mulch per cubic metre from Killaloe and Newell Beach Transfer Stations (from $18.65 to $12 per unit);

• 20 per cent reduction in green waste deposits for utes and trailers or large trailers (from $12.50 to $10 per load);

• 9 per cent reduction in green waste deposits for trailer or utility greater than 1.4m long (from $5.50 to $5);

• 43 per cent reduction in new application fee for outdoor dining (from $395.75 to $222.15); and

• 21 per cent reduction in renewal or transfer fees for goods on footpath (from $215 to $169.70).

Council will also make it free to replace dog tags (previously $5) and register guide and hearing support dogs (previously $8.30).

The meeting room hire at Mossman Library has also been reduced by more than 50 per cent.

Mayor Julia Leu said the new Fees and Charges schedule strikes the right balance between financial sustainability and improving outcomes for the environment and small business.

“The increase for the vast majority of fees and charges was capped at 3.6 per cent enables Council to continue providing a high level of service to our communities,” Mayor Leu said.

“But we have made some concessions where we believe we can make an impact for the environment and small business.

“A key priority for Council at the moment is to discourage illegal dumping, of which green waste is a major contributor, and the fee reduction will hopefully encourage more people to do the right thing for the environment.

“Slashing the cost of mulch also provides benefits to the environment and assists local residents to better maintain their lawns and gardens.

“Council is also making every endeavour to reduce red tape for small businesses in the Douglas Shire and drastically reducing the cost of fees for outdoor dining and goods on footpaths assists this initiative.

The full Fees and Charges schedule is available on Council’s website www.douglas.qld.gov.au.