This differs to the current arrangement where people have the choice to either request collection of their green bin, compost their green waste or dispose of it at the transfer station. This arrangement has worked well as it gives residents choice of how this waste is disposed and does not increase rates for everyone regardless if you use the service or not. I, myself enjoy composting my green waste and then reusing it on the garden to create organic rich soil.

With this new scheme, I will be slugged an annual fee for having a green bin I will never use. This also acts as a disincentive to compost for those of us that should. For those that want their green bin collected, they can currently request pick up and pay for the service. I am wondering why the current arrangement needs changing and how much this service is actually needed. The majority of us only produce a small amount of green waste weekly and then once a year we do a large yard clean-up which will render the bins useless. I know the idea of having a "green" waste bin sounds nice but is it actually environmentally friendly? It is not "green" to have large diesel trucks driving around all the streets of Ballarat to collect what will be under-utilised green waste.

This is a costly, dirty and disruptive venture that has not been thought out thoroughly by the City of Ballarat.

Andrew Clancy, Ballarat North

Several months ago, l wrote a letter to this column regarding the green waste collection, and asked the council this question, "What if a ratepayer employs a gardening service to do their mowing, gardening, pruning etc, and takes away all the green waste? Will they have to pay for the council's green waste collection also?"

The council did not reply to my letter. Last week, l received a letter from council stating this service will commence early in July, and will cost $60 - $70 per annum. Saturday's Courier showed a typical pensioner couple who will struggle to pay for this service. How many more people will be in the same boat? It appears people with a gardening service will have to pay twice to have green waste removed.

This is a council that does not listen to the ratepayers and makes decisions amongst themselves, without any consultation with the local people. The sale yards relocation and Civic Hall are classic examples. How much of ratepayers' money has been wasted on these projects? Council elections can't come around quick enough, so the people can vote and get rid of these cronies. We need councillors who will liaise, listen and work with the local people to ensure better outcomes for everyone.

Graham Pearce, Invermay Park.

The green bin reaction is well underway; not surprising council reacts to a few who complain, but fails to consult the rest. I, for one, have a worm farm and compost heaps. If I need to remove green waste, I go to the transfer station in Learmonth Street, pay $2 and pick up composted soil on the way out.

We have been forced to have it and I do not need it. I expect council would have thought through the program, enabling them to get extra rates from those not needing it.

I wonder if they will contract it out or do it themselves. That will make over 100 businesses they run.  Are all of them council-controlled or contracted out? If the former, no wonder our rates are higher than Melbourne. Maybe the new CEO will lead the way with continual improvement and reduce our rates by out-sourcing and having super-efficient departments. Here's hoping.

Quinton Wilkinson, Lake Gardens