THE decision to move to a single red bin collection a fortnight from September has many residents seeing red – but it looks unlikely Port Macquarie-Hastings Council will reverse its decision.
Asked if there was any chance council would do an about-face given the public outcry which followed the announcement late last year, a council spokesperson said proposed costs would be discussed at a councillor briefing session next month with a view to going before council’s February ordinary meeting for adoption in the 2014 fees and charges.
“As previously advised, the new waste collection contract will include a fortnightly collection of the domestic bin in an effort to encourage an increase in recycling and subsequent reduction in landfill,” the spokesperson said.
“The existing standard weekly red bin collection will become a premium service under the new contract and will be available to families with special needs.
“Council intends to structure annual charges for domestic waste services to encourage and recognise residents who use the fortnightly red bin service.
“The annual charge for this service will be the lowest of the charges for domestic waste and may even be cheaper than current charges.”
The spokesperson said a fortnightly red bin service was already in place at Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Nambucca, Lismore and Clarence Valley councils.
“The fortnightly red bin service, in conjunction with weekly green bin and fortnightly yellow bin services, is now considered the contemporary ‘standard’ for waste collection,” he said.
Late last year council voted to move to the reduced collections as part of awarding the tender for waste collection services, with the new service scheduled to start on 1 September.
The successful tenderer was J.R. and E.G. Richards Pty Ltd at a cost of $48.453 million for a 10-year term with options to extend for a further two one-year periods. At the same time it awarded the contract for organics receival and processing to Remondis Pty at a cost of $27.1 million for 10 years with an option to extend for a further two one-year periods.
Announcing the decision at the time, Mayor Peter Besseling said that while the fortnightly collection would be challenging for some households there were significant benefits.
“We have committed to undertaking a long-term education program before the new contract comes into effect to help households understand the volume of materials that can go into recycling and organic green bins,” he said.
“Current data shows 40 per cent of waste households currently put in the red bin was organic waste that could be put into the green bin, indicating the opportunities for improved waste management by households.”
Mayor Besseling also advised that the tender prices for this contract could save council approximately $645,000 per year and those savings would be passed on.
The existing standard weekly red bin collection will become a premium service under the new contract and will be available to residents with specific needs, such as families with nappies or health requirements.
Local media were inundated with comments from residents objecting to the reduced collection after it was announced, including the Independent, with numerous thumbs-down submitted from irate residents who predicted bulging bins full of stinky waste.
“Basically it stinks in more ways than one,” is fairly typical of the responses (see Thumbs this issue for more comments).
The new waste collection contract also means changes to the Bulky Kerbside Clean-up Service.
From September next year residents will receive two vouchers with their rates notice for free disposal of bulky goods at transfer stations.
An unlimited pay-as-you go collection service will be available for a fee. This is to avoid unsightly mess on roadside verges of items awaiting collection.
