Councils must consider wellbeings for recycling

I agree with Invercargill Licensing Trust member Sean Bellew’s comment that the decision not to renew the contract with Southland disAbility Enterprises made him ashamed to be a Southlander.

Southland District Mayor Gary Tong said negotiations had been ongoing with the three mayors involved and the only option was to go to tender.

‘‘It’s a money thing; we are looking at a significant increase in contract prices.’’

Councils also have a duty to consider ‘‘wellbeings’’ when making decisions – in this case the social impact on the lives of 90 dedicated workers and their families.

These workers are family.

As a former chairman of the Invercargill City Council’s works and services, I served on the group that was to become Wastenet and also served a term as chair of that group when the contract was let to Southland Enterprises.

When recycling was mechanised I often visited the centre and watched the staff on that huge machine handle the material, showing me with great pride how things worked.

They often had to handle disgusting matter in the process.

Southland Enterprises are indeed enterprising and innovative.

Outside contractors, in my experience, are there to make a buck, not to give dedicated service.

Mayor Tong has missed another option; that is,to increase the landfill levy by a couple of dollars a tonne.

The cost falls on all – commercial and domestic.