|
|
|
News>Council proposes tailor-made waste collection solution
| Council proposes tailor-made waste collection solution - 13/9/2012 |  Printer Friendly |
| Council’s decision not to proceed with a regional waste collection contract is driven by the desire for a custom solution suited to the individual needs of its residents, with cost being a very important consideration.
“With our small population base spread over a very large area, the logistics of a kerbside waste collection service is very different here than say in Albury where the population density is far greater,” said Ms Juliana Phelps, Chief Executive Officer. “Whilst a collaborative approach to procurement often can achieve savings, our review of the proposals from the recent regional waste collection tender identified greater benefits to our residents by providing the service ourselves,”
The rising costs of using other landfills within the North East region, especially now that large landfill operations are subject to the carbon tax, was one of the key considerations taken into account by Council.
“By participating in the regional contract, Council would have effectively been locked in to an arrangement that could have significant cost implications into the future,” said Ms Phelps. “After a lot of research and consultation, Council felt that it was a far better option to have greater control over this important core service and not be tied to a long-term agreement that does not suit our unique situation,”
“We are extremely fortunate that our licensed landfill at Corryong has the capacity to deal with our own waste at this point at a lower cost and is exempt from the carbon tax”
A number of other benefits and efficiencies have been identified through the extensive modelling recently undertaken by Council:
• Increased employment of local people
• Over 30% reduction in the distance travelled by the trucks
• Maximised use of plant already owned by Council
The waste collection solution to be offered by Council staff will utilise existing plant to collect garbage and recycling on a fortnightly basis. The recyclables collected would be taken to a recycling facility, most likely in Wodonga or Wangaratta. While residents will have the option to increase their garbage bin size from the current 140 litre bin to a 240 litre bin, recent bin audits have indicated opportunities for improvement with the sorting of garbage and recyclables and composting of organics. Improved sorting of garbage by households will result in less waste going into landfill.
“Education will be a key component of Council’s approach so that we can assist residents to do all they can to reduce, reuse and recycle,” said Ms Phelps.
The new arrangements for waste collection will be staged area by area in coming months. Council will notify residents individually when their services will be changed.
| |
| |
|