Rubbish fees up: NEA surplus up 32.9%?

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November 8, 2016

Rubbish collection fees increase from next year

I refer to the article “Rubbish collection fees for homes to be increased from next year” (Channel NewsAsia, Nov 7).

It states that “From Jan 1, 2017, the monthly rubbish collection fee will be S$8.25 for apartments – including HDB flats and condominiums that have not opted out of the public waste collection scheme – and S$27.47 for landed homes. The fees are inclusive of Goods and Services Tax (GST).

This is an increase of S$0.76 a month for households living in apartments from S$7.49, and an increase of S$2.66 a month for those living in landed properties from S$24.81.

The increases are necessary due to higher operating costs such as that for manpower, NEA said.”

10% increase?

This is an increase of 10.1 and 10.7 per cent for apartments and landed properties, respectively.

Economic downturn – increase fees?

In view of the economic downturn and estimated negative local employment change for 21 months already – why are we increasing rubbish collection and parking fees?

$51.7m surplus?

According to the NEA’s annual report – its surplus before contribution to the Consolidated Fund was $51.7 million for the financial year ended 31 March 2016.

Surplus increased by 32.9%?

This is an increase of 32.9 per cent over the previous year’s $38.9 million.

So, is there really a need to increase fees now?

Leong Sze Hian

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About the Author

Leong
Leong Sze Hian has served as the president of 4 professional bodies, honorary consul of 2 countries, an alumnus of Harvard University, authored 4 books, quoted over 1500 times in the media , has been a radio talkshow host, a newspaper daily columnist, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow, columnist for theonlinecitizen and Malaysiakini, executive producer of Ilo Ilo (40 international awards), Hotel Mumbai (associate producer), invited to speak more than 200 times in about 40 countries, CIFA advisory board member, founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of 2 countries. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors degrees and 13 professional  qualifications.