By Tanya Steele
Waste collection changes beginning in Yarra Ranges have been met with many objections and questions from residents.
Multiple residents have called Star Mail and aired their concerns about how the new system will work.
Niki from Mooroolbark said that her household already had a composting system and didn’t need a superfluous bin that would never be used.
“We were already forced to have a bin of one particular size,” she said.
Julia from Montrose said she didn’t want to pay for services she did not need.
“There are one or two things that do go in the rubbish bin, but apart from that – everything goes into the garden, everything is recycled, and generally our rubbish bins are quite empty,” she said.
Many of the concerns were raised by people who said they would not need to use the new system as they already composted and did not require the green-lidded food organics and garden organics (FOGO) bin.
The frequency of collection for the red waste rubbish bin (which would be collected fortnightly) was also an issue for households that don’t produce large amounts of waste.
“It takes us between three and four weeks to fill it. But to be told we have to put it out every fortnight to get it emptied is again a waste of resources,” said Niki.
Niki said she wanted more options and would prefer to opt-out completely of the green waste bin.
The Resource Recovery and Waste Services Policy formally known as the Waste Services Policy reflects the new operational waste collection services and requirements that are now needed to comply with recent changes to statewide waste management legislation.
As Victoria as a whole begins to adapt to the legislation, the Yarra Ranges Council will need to cater for residents and properties with a large spectrum of requirements.
The last council meeting on 8 August moved an amendment to the proposal to adopt the Resource Recovery and Waste Services policy with the caveat that an informal review will occur in six months.
The motion was carried unanimously. Councillor Johanna Skelton said at the time she considered the move a final piece in a puzzle.
“It’s still a whole lot cheaper for us to go on this journey as a community and all look at helping out everyone else who’s not there yet,” she said.
James from Helaseville spoke in objection to the waste changes and said he wasn’t too happy about them.
“I’ve always been a firm believer in mulching my yard trimmings and the chipping of any old woody material… to reinvest in my garden beds and yard. The green waste bin system never worked for me. And I see it as a waste of time for myself,” he said.
Cr Tim Heenan shared James’ concerns at the meeting.
“I accept that there are many people and I live in Mount Evelyn and so they do exactly the same as you.
“I’ve got many friends that have been putting all of their organics out and making sure they’ve been composting their gardens for decades… it’s a frustration that we share,” he said.
Cr Len Cox said many people would have issues with medical waste, in particular sanitary napkins and pads.
“It’s a serious issue and will affect a lot of people in the community,” he said.
Currently, residents can change the size of their bins but there are no packages that don’t include all three bins. Extra rubbish bins will cost a household $168.
The new FOGO service will be implemented from 2 October this year.
