Waste management plan fails to impress
The report ‘Four bins proposed in waste reforms’ (Gaz 19/1) incorrectly dates provision of FOGO kerbside collection services as ‘by 2030’.
In fact, ‘Baw Baw Shire Council will introduce food organics into the kerbside garden organics (green waste) bin service by 2023’, according to the summary accompanying the draft Waste Management Plan.
Forty two Victorian councils already provide, or are in process of providing, a FOGO service, and our council undertook transitional planning last year.
It’s reasonable to ask why it’s not targeting the earliest practicable commencement, given the potential benefits of diverting food waste – estimated to be 43 per cent of red bin garbage – from landfill to compost.
The plan is even less convincing about separating glass from other recyclables, adopting a wait-and-see position pending operation commencing in 2022/23 of the State Government’s Container Deposit Scheme, and commits council only by 2026. If contamination of recyclables by broken glass warrants separation, it should be introduced ASAP.
The CDS won’t cater for all glass, possibly not even wine and spirits bottles. I can’t imagine the alternative to a fourth kerbside bin – having to take glass waste to a depot – being welcomed by most residents.
The cost of providing and collecting from another bin may deter council, but it should recognise the private costs also incurred in the alternative, which would likely be less efficient all round.
Thus the draft Waste Management Plan does not impress as an action plan. The impression is not improved by careless year dating, starting with the designation 2020-2025 for a five-year plan: six calendar years, the first of which is already history. Calendar and financial years are confusingly used for the same event: for example, separation of glass ‘by 2026’ and ‘by 2025/26’ on the same page of the summary.
John Hart, Warragul
Turn traffic left
What gives the right for traffic to be slowed from 100 k/ph to 80 k/ph outside Gumbuya World on the Princes Freeway.
It is not only dangerous but a speed trap for police to make there ticket quota.
All traffic exiting Gumbuya World should have to turn left and use a right turn at the next crossing without slowing traffic.
Seems like a money making exercise for the council for allowing this and a money making runway for police.
Robert Campbell, Nayook
Lefties should leave
Every year we have left wing political activists complaining about Australia Day and talking about changing the date, apologies and paying reparations etc.
If these people had been paying attention at Sunday school they would have known that you first have to give back that stolen property before you apologise and pay reparations.
So my challenge to these Australia haters is give back your stolen land, apologise, pay reparations and catch the next available flight out of Australia.
It wasn’t that long ago that people used to apologise for their own sins and failures, but today, especially on the left side of politics, it’s become fashionable to apologise for sins and failures of others past and present whilst steadfastly refusing to apologise for their own.
Hopefully by next Australia Day these guilt ridden land thieves will have done the right thing and left Australia, and we will be able to celebrate our great nation and what unites us, without these leftwing virtue signallers whipping up racial division.
Marc Schelleens, Drouin
Many ramifications
The C139 went before the Baw Baw Shire last week. The proposal includes the use of farmland and rezoning and infill without permits.
Small rural farm land lots could be used for dwellings with 150mm infill to the sites, before it goes to the state planning authority.
This is particularly important for flood prone areas as the southern region of Longwarry where infill poses a threat and is currently causing issues with neighbouring farmers and over proliferation of housing in farm area.
The notice for the meeting was only given out on Friday, five days before the council meeting. This important planning alteration will affect residents of the Baw Baw Shire if you live near a vacant rural block and have issues specific to that location before the C139 comes in.
The C139 is not easy for everyone to understand, and yet the ramifications of this will be felt for many years if some areas are given recommendation before going to the Minister, as I understand.
C139 is written as a protection of the farm land, and yet for small lots already in title, have the potential to be given recommendation from council to use as lifestyle property.
Longwarry is highlighted for serious development and yet there are a number of issues that arise for the area that need attention now.
Sharon Jordan. Longwarry