Council tonight is set to rethink its waste collection strategy following a survey that shows most residents want a weekly garbage system with bigger bins.
The questionnaire polled 121 people outside Springett’s Arcade on Saturday on their preferred system, with 114 of the respondents saying they want a weekly garbage pickup.
Only six people said they agreed with a 140-litre bin fortnightly garbage service - the very same option Council narrowly chose last week to call for tenders on.
Six councillors, including Paul Tuddenham and Rick Mandelson, conducted the poll during a public rally they organised to explain the proposed new collection system.
“The figures speak for themselves,” Cr Tuddenham said.
Contracts for the Shire’s domestic waste collection service are up for renewal, with Council’s Waste Committee arguing for a fortnightly system based on the Shellharbour model.
But the survey showed ratepayers here prefer a weekly 80-litre bin garbage pick up and 140 to 240 litre bin fortnightly recycling pick up.
Only four respondents said the current system of putting out a 55-litre garbage bin and similar sized recycling crate on a weekly basis should remain.
Councillor Rick Mandelson said the results vindicate his call for Council to retract its decision of last week and call for tenders on a number of options.
“This just isn’t about garbage bins, it’s about Council’s public consultation processes,” he said.
“We’re not going to be wavering on this one.”
Cr Tuddenham in his poll summary said people were also concerned with the calling for tenders on a separate fortnightly glass pick-up, using a 60 litre crate.
“A number of people did not want a crate for the glass as it was too heavy, or unmanageable for the elderly and incapacitated,” he said.
“We didn’t expect this kind of response to the survey. We didn’t advertise it as such, people simply came up and asked what’s going on.
“It was amazing the number of people who didn’t know their collection system is likely to change.”
Cr Duncan Gair told The News yesterday public opinion cannot be ignored, with the survey results a sound indication of what people want.
The survey will be tabled during tonight’s Council meeting, where at least six councillors will push for the calling of tenders on other collection options.
All up, three Notices of Motion are on tonight’s business paper, including a rescission motion signed by Crs Mandelson, Gair and David Fairall.
Among Cr Mandelson’s recommendations (subject to the rescission motion being carried) is that tenders be called for a 140-litre bin weekly garbage collection and 240 bin recycling collection on alternate weeks.
He also asks that tenders also submit non-confirming tenders is addition to the above.
In a separate Notice of Motion, Cr Gair asks for tenders on a series of other options, including an 80-litre bin weekly, single or double garbage pick-up.
“Rick’s motion is perhaps a little tighter than mine, but if we can call for open tendering on a variety of options, then surely we can get better results for the general public,” Cr Gair said.
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