Flower operation seeks comeback

More than 380 people have had their say on waste and recycling services in Baw Baw Shire.

A survey conducted late last year attracted 385 submissions.

E-waste and recycling best practices were hot topics amongst responses, while the community’s widespread use of home composting was a highlight.

Two-thirds of residents surveyed reported

A hydroponic flower growing enterprise at Labertouche that was a victim of the 2009 Black Saturday bush fires could be making a comeback.

The greenhouse in which the business operated was severely damaged by the fire and later demolished.

Plans to build a new greenhouse on the wedge-shaped property at Forest Rd, Labertouche, are awaiting Baw Baw Shire approval.

Metropol Planning Solutions has submitted the proposal for a new greenhouse on behalf of property owner Rhonda Jordan.

The 44 x 28.8 metre building would be on the pad of the two previous greenhouses.

Water for the hydropnic operation will predominantly come from storing rainwater runoff in tanks on the property.

The application states the operation will employ two full-time staff.

It contends there will be no adverse effects on neighbouring residents – the nearest houses are 165 metres away – or surrounding land uses. already composting food organics and green organics (FOGO) at home, while 73 per cent said they would likely use a FOGO bin if introduced.

The survey findings revealed:

85 per cent are satisfied with council’s kerbside collection service (including hard waste);

72 per cent preferred the free annual hard waste offer to be a kerbside collection rather than a transfer station drop off, mainly due to its convenience and a number of residents not having a trailer to take it to the transfer station themselves;

* 66 per cent currently compost food organics and green organics (FOGO) at home;

* 75 per cent knew that e-waste (items with a cord/battery) can be dropped off free at transfer stations.

While a majority of residents told council they received enough information about waste and recycling services, 45 per cent said they would like more information – particularly regarding what can and cannot be put in recycling bins.

In response, council has created a quarterly email newsletter, Our Environment. Residents can subscribe for free via council’s website.

Additionally, Council will provide regular updates on social media throughout the year, tackling key topics of interest highlighted in the survey results.

Mayor Danny Goss thanked the community for their response to this survey.

“Council is dedicated to improving our service delivery in line with community expectations and is committed to making use of the insights provided by this survey to do that.

“We will continue to explore ways to better inform and educate our residents about waste and recycling services, with a key emphasis on what can and can’t be recycled - a key topic of interest highlighted in the survey results,” he said.