Cassowary Coast Bring Back Cash

To:  Cassowary Coast Regional Council,

The Cassowary Coast unelected CEO decided that cash payment (legal tender), will not be accepted at our Cassowary Coast Management Facilities. Whilst the CEO 'protects' Council staff "by further reducing the work, health and safety risk to staff" his statement implies that it is an acceptable risk for others but just not Council Office staff. It is NOT the job of our local Post Office Staff to take on the added 'risks' of Council staff duties.

The CEO states that "it was a decision workshopped with Council" however, our elected Cassowary Coast Councillors "were not given the choice to vote on this decision" even though some openly expressed disapproval of the CEO's decision to go cashless.

Most of us recall it taking three (3) whole days for the government to begin handing out cash to CC Residents after devastating cyclones visited. Three days before residents could purchase food, water, gas, fuel, ice, linen and clothes, all of which are life and survival necessities. We as a community struggled but even more so, those who had no cash in hand. It is crucial that a CEO takes into consideration, that our region is at high risk of natural disasters, many of which, power failures are a given guarantee.

As "only 9% used cash as a form of payment" - does not make it morally right. As a CEO, they must ensure they are acting on behalf of the whole community. As cashless is being promoted and ushered in by some Australian CEO's, their decision is in fact, promoting of cashless societies and in some of these area's we are now seeing other facilities/businesses notifying of cashless only, including sporting organisations. The promotion of cashless will further hinder our pre-working youth, most of who will not have access to a bank card, but who simply wish to join and enjoy local facilities, activities, and festivities.

Furthermore, whilst such ways may work in the cities, it will be of no benefit here in the Cassowary Coast. Instead, much will be lost if cashless is promoted, including our local markets, school fetes, local show stall holders and our yearly Feast of the Senses, all the things that makes our region unique. This is just to name a few but the list is endless!

Feel free to sign and share our petition and if anyone is wanting a PDF copy emailed for personal/business distribution, please contact directly and we will organise this for you. otrnilnt@anonaddy.me

The decision impacts our youth, the vulnerable, is disciminative, unpractical, undemocratic and controlling. 

We, the undersigned residents petition to the Cassowary Coast Regional Council that cash payments (legal tender) be re-instated at ALL Cassowary Coast Regional Council Management Facilities.

Aaron Press, Bingil Bay, 4852    Contact the author of the petition