It was a string of break-ins at Condobolin and Lake Cargelligo waste facilities led to the decision to make both facilities cashless. 

As reported by the Western Plains App, as of 1 April 2024, all waste management facilities operated by the Lachlan Shire Council (LSC) will be cashless, including Condobolin, Lake Cargelligo and Tottenham, and will only accept EFTPOS payments.

The decision to keep cash out of the facility was made after Condobolin recorded four break-ins from October 2024 to January 2024, and another two in Lake Cargelligo where the float and cash have been stolen. 

Council’s General Manager, Mr Greg Tory, said “this decision will protect the health and welfare of our staff and people using the facility by reducing the need to handle cash.”

“It will also save the community money in the long term through a reduction in the need for on-site security at waste facilities and processing of cash collected.”  

According to a report from LSC, Council officers have installed senor lights, alarms, reinforced hinges/locks and cameras, all to no avail.

“... this only deters offenders briefly. Each incident is reported to the police however, delays in fingerprinting teams arriving, weather and site contamination has resulted in no findings,” the report noted. 

Break-ins to the facility have so far led to damage to buildings and fences, as well as $1400 from the waste operation budget to date in the 2023/24 financial year to replace the float.

At the recent council meeting, it was noted that resources and materials to repair damages often outweigh the amount of money stolen or kept on premises. 

Despite the need to better protect the facility from future break-ins, council raised concerns around how going cashless might impact accessibility. 

“I have concerns that there’ll just be illegal dumping because it’s too overwhelming to think ‘I’ve got to use my card’ because it is hard for people who don’t understand technology,” Councillor Megan Mortimer said. 

“‘I’ll just dump it’ might be the mentality.”

Both credit and debit card transactions will be accepted and transactions will not incur any processing fees.

There will be no minimum payment amount for customers using electronic payment.  

Waste facilities are already accepting cashless payments. Residents may continue to use cash up until 31 March 2024, but from Saturday, 1 April 2024 all payments must be made through EFTPOS. 

Illegal dumping can be reported here.