Kerbside rubbish collection: Public meeting Wednesday May 20th 2015, 7.30pm, Daylesford Town Hall (following on from community meeting in Yandoit, April 1st, 2015)
Report from Kerbside rubbish community meeting in Yandoit
Around 50 locals turned up to the community meeting with ward councillors in April to raise concerns about Hepburn Shire’s proposal to introduce kerbside rubbish collection to outlying hamlets including Yandoit, Clydesdale and Franklinford.
Major concerns
Of common concern was the survey approach in which a non- response from residents was counted as a yes vote. This was particularly concerning given a number of residents did not receive survey forms. Survey data across all Shire hamlets shows that 60% responded with 48.5% voting yes and 51.5% voting no. In broad terms this means 6 out of 10 responded, 3 out of 10 said yes and 3 out of 10 said no. In our area 8, which takes in Shepherds Flat to Clydesdale, including Franklinford, Dry Diggings and Yandoit, 241 properties were surveyed with 164 responses. Of those who responded, 76 indicated no and 88 yes.
Hepburn Shire’s Waste Management Strategy 2014 committed to ‘determine community acceptance for extending kerbside collection and extend the service where community support’. Can a 60% response rate with 48.5% approval be regarded as community support?
Beyond the survey methodology residnets espressed the followin as major concerns:
- Impracticability- for many on large acreages and farms transporting bins to the front gate, across formidable terrain, is a challenge. This is especially the case for frail residents and those with health problems.
- Current system works well -residents have set up excellent systems to separate, minimise and transport rubbish to transfer stations;
- Safety and burglary– bins left out on the street is of concern for weekenders and runs contrary to Victoria Police burglary prevention recommendations. Currently weekenders take rubbish back with them and this remains their preference.
- Inaccessibility for trucks- narrow dirt roads are common across the hamlets and these are inaccessible for trucks to turn around;
- Rate rise– additional cost is not welcome to residents who are happy with the existing system and don’t want bins or kerbside collection;
- Green waste: Yandoit has an excellent green waste system in place;
- Increased waste– providing bins where none have existed before has potential to increase rather than decrease rubbish;
- Aesthetics– kerbside collection will encourage location of bins at front gates, not an attractive look in the country. Bins on the street are more liable to be blown over or knocked by animals, creating more litter.
Additional questions from residents to the Shire
- Many residents were unclear as to which streets and homes are included or excluded in the Shire’s plans. Shire Maps have been prepared but clarification is still needed.
- What is the Shire’s motivation? Is it environmental or it is cost cutting?
- Has the Shire factored in repair and regrading costs to damaged and corrugated roads caused by heavy trucks especially after rain?
- Is the shire open to developing other waste management strategies?
- Have alternative cost saving measures been considered and, if so, what?
Suggested strategies for waste minimisation
These included recycling, worm farms, composting, community education and reduced packaging.
Choice
The vast majority of meeting goers confirmed their wish to opt out if, or when, the scheme is introduced.
Community consultation
Residents asked for further discussion and consultation with the Shire before any implementation, including the suggestion that the Shire sample a number of residents to ascertain how rubbish is currently managed and explore potential options for reducing waste and costs.
Another opportunity to put your views:
Public meeting at Daylesford Town Hall, 7.30pm, Wednesday May 20th, 2015
Cheers, Nikki
