Trash-talk residents raise stink on garbage

WHINGEING residents are being told to “put a lid on it” after the latest wave of complaints about the Commonwealth Games put the spotlight on new nightly garbage services.

Wheelie bin collection will start from midnight in the lead-up and during the event, with many residents fearing sleepless nights as their kids wake up and dogs bark.

Many councillors believe their response to the change in services shows Games bashing has reached tipping point when the city should be preparing to celebrate the biggest sporting event in its history.

Veteran councillor Dawn Crichlow told the Bulletin: “They should put a lid on it. Big deal. It is a bit of an inconvenience.

“Surely they don’t mind that (the nightly bin service). It’s better than if you wait for the morning and you’re running late to work (to put the bin out). How bloody ridiculous, they’re going to be woken up.”

Cr Crichlow has had positive responses during briefings to community groups in recent weeks, while Helensvale colleague William Owen-Jones believes “the majority are saying it’s all good”.

But Nerang and Pacific Pines-based councillor Peter Young has been surprised by the negative responses after posting the information changes on Facebook.

“Relaxing sounds of breaking bottles at 2am,” a resident wrote back. Another suggested council “clean up the mess after hoons tip the bins over” at night.

“Another way every Gold Coast resident will benefit from the Games. Well done Gold Coast,” another posted.

A female resident added: “Absolutely ridiculous, worst idea ever bringing these Games to the GC. Idiots.”

Councillors had voted for the changes to ease traffic congestion, for security reasons and to help with waste collection during the Games.

But many residents fear their kids will be woken up, that dogs will start barking and neighbourhoods become a nightmare in the early hours.

Cr Young said the early collections would commence on March 8 and finish on April 20 and there would be no return runs for missed services during the period.

Residents are being advised to put their wheelie bins out before they go to sleep and ensure their vehicles are not parked on the street to stop access for trucks.

Cr Young in his response told residents: “Pick-ups will be between midnight and six. I’ve no doubt the truck operators will be acutely aware of noise issues but the reality is, during the night, there will be disturbance. It might be possible for some folks to put themselves or the kids in a back room on pick-up night.”

Water and waste committee chairman Paul Taylor agreed, saying councillors had no option but to get the trucks off the congested roads.

“Otherwise it could be a complete mess up to get our vehicles to the tip,” Cr Taylor said.

“I know it’s an inconvenience. It’s the Commonwealth Games. It’s the biggest thing the Gold Coast has ever had.

“I think everyone in general will be very happy about it. It will be a big party. I don’t think there will be much pain.”

Cr Young explained to residents that the first couple of weeks of the nightly service was to sort out any problems and the garbage collection service would use “runners” to help move bins into the right place by the kerb.

He told the Bulletin he could understand the responses but was disappointed in the context of the Games.

“I’m certainly aware there will be an impact on people. But over the course of the year eight bin (collection services) are being affected,” he said.

“It’s not as critically bad as it might be. I’m sure there will be efforts by the operators to keep the noise to a minimum.

“I’m disappointed (by some of the responses). I was on the (Games) bid team. The aim was to take people on this journey along the way, how good this would be for the city and for employment opportunities and the focus on sports-related topics.”

THEY SHOULD PUT A LID ON IT. BIG DEAL … HOW BLOODY RIDICULOUS, THEY’RE GOING TO BE WOKEN UP

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