LOCAL LIFE
Let’ s keep batteries out of bins
and help Blacktown City stay safe
People are being asked not to throw batteries in the bin after eight fires in Blacktown City garbage and recycling trucks in the past 12 months.
Batteries including AA, AAA and rechargeable batteries contain chemicals that can ignite and have sparked blazes threatening the safety of waste services workers. Fortunately there have been no serious injuries.
The Blacktown City community is being asked to dispose of household batteries( AA, AAA and more) by booking a free collection via Council’ s recycling service: problemwaste. com. au. Batteries can also be recycled at Household Chemical CleanOut collections and at major retail chains.
Blacktown City Mayor Brad Bunting said disposing of batteries safely was a simple way to keep everyone safe.
“ Our community is always keen to look for out each other. By keeping batteries out of garbage bins and using Council’ s free collection service, we can keep everyone out of harm’ s way,” he said.
“ Our waste services workers do a fantastic job and we owe it to them and their families to make their workplace as safe as possible.”
Fires in garbage and recycling trucks can also threaten the safety of those nearby, and often result in road closures, costly damage to vehicles and may impact waste collection service for residents. People should check the‘ Problem
Reducing the impact of the assets test – what you need to know
When applying for the Age Pension, your assets can make a big difference to your eligibility and payment amount. But what exactly is the assets test, and how can you manage its impact?
Centrelink uses the assets test to determine how much you own, including property( other than your home), superannuation, investments, vehicles and contents. If your assets are above the threshold, your pension payment will reduce by $ 3 per fortnight for every $ 1,000 over the limit. The limits differ depending on whether you’ re single or a couple, and whether you own your home.
The important thing to understand is that many retirees can unintentionally hold assets in ways that reduce their Age Pension unnecessarily. Sometimes this happens because they don’ t know what counts as an asset, or how Centrelink values it. Other times, it’ s because their financial position has changed over time, but their pension hasn’ t been reviewed.
There are often legitimate ways to reduce the impact of the assets test, for example, by making sure your funds are structured appropriately for your stage of life, or ensuring Centrelink’ s records reflect the current market values of your assets. Each person’ s situation is different, so there’ s no one-size-fits-all answer, but even small adjustments can sometimes make a and hazardous waste’ page of Council’ s website before disposing of e-waste and items including embedded batteries.
E-waste( computers, televisions) can be safely disposed of at locations including Veolia’ s Eastern Creek Waste Management Centre and Remondis’ Seven Hills Resource Recovery Facility.
Items with embedded batteries, such as earbuds and charging cases, vacuum cleaners and phones, should be disposed of at the Hawkesbury Community Recycling Centre.
Council is continuing to educate the community on safe waste disposal through social media messaging, Council’ s e-newsletters, its Green Money program and other communications.
One of the easiest ways for the community to stay abreast of waste services is to download the B informed waste and recycling app. This is available via the Apple App Store and Google Play.
significant difference to your payment or eligibility.
Financial advice can play a key role here. A qualified adviser can help identify strategies that align with your goals while improving your Age Pension position. For example, investing in a funeral bond( within the allowable limit) can reduce assessable assets while setting funds aside for future expenses.
Certain lifetime annuities can also receive concessional treatment under the assets test, providing both income security and a potential pension boost. In addition, new IRIS products have been developed to meet these same goals, combining flexibility and Centrelink efficiency in one. Advice ensures these strategies are used appropriately for your needs and circumstances.
If you’ re unsure how the assets test affects you, or if your pension could be higher, it’ s worth having your situation reviewed. We specialise in helping people understand and apply for the Age Pension in plain language, no forms, no online portals, just personal service and clear answers.
Call us today on 1300 222 484 to find out whether your assets are affecting your Age Pension and what steps might help improve your position.
CSIMARCONI
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81 South Street, Schofields NSW 2762 Ph 02 9627 4435 www. csimarconi. com. au
BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine. com. au MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS! ISSUE 57 // DECEMBER 2025 11