Alternative Council payment options endorsed

Alternative payment options were announced when Council voted to reinstate cash transactions at Portsmith and Smithfield transfer stations today.

Since 2019, Council has transitioned to EFTPOS-only at many of its facilities with the intention of increasing safety, efficiencies and reducing risk and operational costs.

Once cash payments are reinstated at the two largest transfer stations, customers will also be able to purchase pre-paid vouchers for Babinda and Gordonvale transfer stations using cash at the Spence St Customer Service Centre.

Council would like to remind customers that household recyclables can be dropped off for free at all transfer stations, along with many other items.

Other payment measures endorsed include:

• Continue to accept cash payments at the Spence Street Customer Service Centre, Animal Management Facility and Parking Meters.
• Continue to accept cash payments for most Council notices (ie rates, water usage, dog registration, and infringement notices) at participating Australia Post outlets.
• All services at Cairns libraries will be free, except for bulk photocopying and printing which needs to be taken to an external provider.
• The option to use cash will also be reinstated at Cairns Performing Arts Centre, the Tanks Arts Centre and the Buy Back Shop.
• Continue to not apply additional costs or surcharges to transactions.

Council officers will begin the process to facilitate cash payments at these sites in due course.

We ask for the community’s patience while staff work to re-instate cash payments.

Please note these changes may take a number of weeks to implement.