Regional dump opening hours cause heated council debate

Toowoomba Regional Council has compromised on massive cuts to regional rubbish tip opening hours, after community pressure.

In what was a heated debate in the chambers, the councillors yesterday voted to increase the opening periods for dumps at Millmerran, Clifton, Goombungee and Yarraman.

These sites, classified as tierfour dumps because of their usage and size, had weekly hours cut from 59 to as low as 17 under the TRC’s 2017 Waste InTHE frastructure Plan.

The move caused a massive backlash in Millmerran, with more than 400 people signing a petition asking for a reversal.

Cr Anne Glasheen, who wasn’t present when the council voted on the final strategy, slammed the reduction of hours and the TRC’s discussion around it.

Water and Waste chair Nancy Sommerfield responded by saying the planning changes were no secret.

“To turn around now and pretend you don’t know is really hiding behind shadows,” she said.

Mayor Paul Antonio also expressed concerns, but Cr Bill Cahill said the council needed to vote on “the facts”. “I note with interest the comments around the table, and I want us to stick with the facts,” he said. “We have to have a balance between the level of service and the costs of doing it.”

Crs Glasheen, Williams and Antonio voted against the motion.

Millmerran Commerce and Progress Association president Graeme Clarke, who organised the petition, said he was satisfied with the compromise.

“My view is it’s a better outcome than what we were first offered,” he said.