Public say on bin service
H ouseholders can help plan how Horsham Rural City Council provides the State Government’s four-bin waste-service reforms.
Municipal councils statewide must have a four-bin system to separate general rubbish, recyclable materials, glass and green waste.
The changes, planned for next year, will significantly increase the quality of recycled material and reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.
Horsham mayor Robyn Gulline said while it was mandatory for all Victorian councils to provide four bins to urban households, there was an opportunity for Horsham to adapt the service model to public feedback.
She said a survey for residents available online and in paper copies would determine the frequency of the kerbside collections as well as bin sizes.
“While we cannot tailor the service to exactly how each household would like, we are keen to hear what the broad priorities of the community are,” she said.
“That way we can deliver a kerbside service that best suits the majority of people without considerably increasing their costs.
“For example, with the addition of a compulsory green waste bin and collection, many residents might not fill their general rubbish bins as much as they currently do. Therefore they might only require a fortnightly general rubbish collection.
“On the other hand, families with young children might still need their bins emptied every week or a larger bin.
“The service model that is adopted will be rolled out consistently across the Natimuk and Horsham urban areas, so now is the time to have your say.
“While we cannot deliver a service that is perfect for everyone, we do want a model that works for the majority of people.”
The council will also provide an improved service for some rural
customers, with a 240-litre commingled recycling bin, collected fortnightly, on offer to all properties currently receiving waste-disposal services.
In order to move to the new system, the council will consider a new fortnightly food organics and garden organics, FOGO, collection; a new monthly glassrecycling collection; expansion of recycling collection in rural areas; and new glass-recycling drop-off locations across the entire municipality.
Summary details – Urban areas: A 240-litre general waste bin, collected fortnightly; a 240-litre commingled recycling bin, collected fortnightly; A 240litre FOGO bin, collected fortnightly; an 80-litre glass recycling bin, collected four-weekly. Rural areas: A 240-litre general waste bin, collected fortnightly; a 240-litre commingled recycling bin, collected fortnightly and expanded to all rural properties with an existing waste collection service.