The council's decision to leave a pay-as-you-throw option out of the new kerbside collection scheme will have harmful long-term effects on our community.

The council has flippantly said that "most" people will be better off. That's just another Council half-truth.

Judging by the number of black bags I see on the kerbside every collection day "most" people will be worse off.

Apart from helping to keep costs down, a PAYT option provides an incentive to keep down the volume and type of rubbish put out, which reduces the amount going to landfill.

And, isn't that the purpose of the exercise?

Making people pay for a system they don't want or need to use is a disincentive that will end up with more and all sorts of waste products going into the bins which will make the landfill and hygiene situation worse.

Making the decision more unacceptable is the fact that it was made at a meeting from which the public was excluded and during which information that is being kept confidential was considered.

So much for public consultation!

Within the next week or so a request will be made to the council to call a referendum to find out if ratepayers think a PAYT option should be included in the new scheme and the secret reports should be made public.

This is a step in engaging in combat with the council on a matter that is vital to the wellbeing of the community.

B Scott Papamoa Beach