By Emily-Rose Toohey
A report detailing an expansion to the Domestic Kerbside Waste Collection Service in the Southern Downs was carried at the 23 February Ordinary Council Meeting.
Council approved three recommended motions, the first being that it acknowledges the Designated Waste Collection Area, which was attached as seven separate maps of the service throughout the region.
Secondly, council approved to commence the expanded waste collection services on 4 April 2022, and finally, it noted that charges for the service will begin on 1 July 2022 after a three month free trial period.
Cr Ross Bartley said at the council meeting that he was unsure whether rural property owners would utilise the service.
“With those lengthy driveways, property owners find it quite onerous to pull bins down half a kilometre, that they don’t use our service at all but our waste management facilities,” Cr Bartley said.
However, Cr Sheryl Windle said this has been discussed in the past.
“There’s a way around it if they want to use service,” Cr Windle said.
Within council’s assessment, it was stated that council’s current Designated Waste Collection Area of approximately 12,000 services has not been reviewed for several years.
Because there has been growth around the towns and villages within the region, some dwellings have not been serviced, hence the proposed expansion.
Cr Cameron Gow said he would appreciate community feedback once the expanded services begin in April.
“Please tell us about how you find your new service,” Cr Gow said.
The motion was moved Cr Gow and seconded by Cr Marco Gliori.
