Xàbia approves steep rise in garden waste fees after heated council debate
The new ordinance raises the cost of depositing plant debris from under €3 to about €24, sparking criticism from the socialist group over fairness and facility conditions
Xàbia Council held its regular monthly meeting on Thursday night, where one of the main agenda items was the provisional approval of a change to the local tax ordinance regulating the fee for dropping off garden waste at the municipal transfer plant in the Catarroges area.
The issue triggered a lively debate between the governing coalition and the socialist opposition PSOE, mainly over the sharp increase in the fee. In the end, the motion passed by majority vote, with the Partido Popular, Vox, and Ciudadanos por Jávea (CpJ) in favour, Compromís abstaining, and the PSOE voting against.
The councillor responsible for Services, Juanjo García (PP), explained that the revision was necessary due to the high cost of treating this type of waste. “The current fee doesn’t cover expenses and the town loses nearly a million euros a year. That deficit is paid by all residents, which isn’t fair to those who don’t use the service,” hesaid.
Under the new ordinance, the fee for depositing garden waste will rise from less than €3 to around €24, “an increase of about 800%,” according to the PSOE. Socialist councilor Kika Mata called the hike “excessive” and criticized the lack of oversight at the facility. “The weighbridge is broken, and we’re charging without any real verification,” she argued. She also urged the council to improve the transfer site before imposing such a sharp increase. “When it rains, it’s impossible to get through. Many gardeners suffer punctures in their tyres because of the poor ground conditions,” she said.
Meanwhile, Carme Català, spokesperson for Compromís, said the matter “should have been discussed first in committee” and called for more dialogue and consensus before making decisions that directly affect local residents and businesses.
