Garbarge wars
April 10, 2008
Section: News
Helen Goltz
From July 1, Shellharbour residents will have three bins, all collected fortnightly and no choice to opt for a weekly bin collection.
The new bin arrangements come in the wake of the existing Shellharbour City waste contract coming to an end on June 30 and a review by the council on the best way forward.
As well as the existing yellow-top bin for dry recyclables and the red-top bin for residual waste, households will receive a lime-top bin for garden organics.
Nick Feneley, waste manager for Shellharbour City Council, said 88 percent of Shellharbour residents opted for the fortnightly collection.
“Most residents already have a fortnightly collection and the research we did during consultation indicated people were happy to continue this,” Mr Feneley said.
“Landfill is filling up and we need to remove recycle materials to make landfill space.”
Mr Feneley said going to fortnightly collection would encourage people to separate their rubbish.
“This is not an overnight decision. It is the result of consultation, research and expert advice,” he said.
“The research indicated that up to 40 percent of rubbish in the existing red bin is organic material. This can go into the organic bin (lime) allowing more space for residual rubbish.”
Albion Park Rail resident, Anne McNaughton, is one of many residents up in arms about the reduced service.
“I don’t want my bins sitting there unemptied for two weeks,” Ms McNaughton said.
“I pay extra to have my bin emptied every week now, but I’ve been told I can no longer have this service.”
Ms McNaughton said she was concerned the putrid waste would attract flies and maggots and become a health hazard.
“It’s like being in a third world country,” she said.
A resident from Albion Park who did not wish to be named said the letter they received from the council explaining the changes went over her head.
“I’m not happy as we have a number of children including two special needs boys and we can’t survive on one bin a fortnight,” she said.
“We already go to the dump regularly and the price of that has increased as well.
“We pay for an extra weekly service which is going to be cut off,” she said. “I rang the council and asked if I could have two bins. They said it would cost $170 per annum.
“We can’t afford it but I have no choice. The smell is terrible after a fortnight with nappies in the bin.”
A brochure explaining the new service will be distributed with the new lime bin when it is delivered in May.
- May 12, 2008 @ 01:47pm
I read the replies about not being polled for the selection of bins and collection periods. I was one of those selected for polling, AND I nominated weekly collection for the normal refuse. I used to live in Warilla, but work commitments forced me to move to Sydney. I still have a house in Warilla that I intend to retire in. Perhaps the fact that my contact postcode was not part of the Shellharbour council is why I was selected for the poll
- May 10, 2008 @ 10:37am
In response to Richard Cannon, { Lake Times,May 8} It appears to me you must be one of the many dellusional SCC Supporters , and also employed by the Letter Box Police ! Myself and other Residents did'nt recieve any letter from Council on the Garbage Collection Issue , its not the first time I've not recieved correspondance in the mail !! Do you know if this information was Delivered by Australia Post or hand delivered ? You may well want to save a dollar with a fortnightly service, good for you thats your choice , but , thats not the issue , the option for weekly pick up is the issue , Rank Refuse sitting for two weeks is another issue . And as for the 88 % of residents , your only having a guess yourself on how SCC came up with that bogus figure ; not unless your privy to inside information , as its well known of the leaks within the council ! A fair go for Rate Payers and the general public is the Democratic Approach , Freedom to choose , you may be content with being dictated to , bit it's not necessarily accepted by all . Just because SCC has opted for a Cheaper way to Service the community , still does'nt solve the the Garbage Problem !
- Apr 16, 2008 @ 11:18am
Oh Well , I guess this means there will be more opportunity for employment with in SCC , as the over flow on public area bins will be further increased , not to mention the Illegal dumping of household waste that already appears in and around our Suburbs , Streets , Community Parks and Reserves !!!! Way To Go Council !!! Its wonderful to see the Councils concerns towards the Health and well being of its Community . One question for Mr Feneley , How did you come up with a figure, that 88 % of residents had opted for fortnightly collections , as I don't remember being asked for my opinion on that ?????? Once again , Way To Go SCC , Way To Go !!!!!!!!
Comment count: 4
"RE " {May 8 Lake Times} {Third bin rolled out for Residents } We have received excellent feedback regarding the upcoming introduction of the new garden vegetation bin, Shellharbour City Mayor, David Hamilton said. Well how about sharing this positive feed back ! Or is that for Councillors eyes only ? And it still has'nt solved the Issue of a Weekly Household Rubbish Pick up , still no choices offered to the Community ?? I guess once the Illegal dumping of Refuse Increases , council can put the blame back onto the average House Holders , as not every home owns a Car and Trailer , to make regular visits to the Tip ! Well here's an Idea , since theirs no choice for the now obsolete weekly pick up , maybe council can come to a compromise , and waiver the tip fees for those Residents with vehicles , on the off weeks of House hold Rubbish collection ?