A NEW Mildura councillor has called for a six-month return to a weekly general-waste bin service to give residents “breathing space” during the upcoming festive season.
Liam Wood, who was the third new councillor elected last week, said the broader community was “clearly” not coping with the change to a fortnightly red-bin collection service since July.
“We literally need to take a load off the residents with this,” Cr Wood said.
“I really feel for the young families who have diapers piling up. You can see why many red bins are overflowing by the end of a fortnight.
“We need to revert back to the pre-July bin-collection system for at least six months before Christmas to give people some breathing space.
“Council’s primary functions are roads, rates and rubbish. Let’s try to get one of those right.”
He urged the council to “give households a break” as they increase in size again following months of not being allowed to have friends and family as house guests due to the COVID-19 lockdowns.
“The waste pressures are only getting more demanding now,” Cr Wood said.
“I know it’s an extra expense, but the message is loud and clear from residents that they want the general waste service moved back to weekly. So council needs to listen.”
Cr Wood’s call comes after Sunraysia Daily last month asked online readers whether the red-bin service should be changed from fortnightly to weekly, amid concerns that the smaller 120-litre landfill bin was inadequate to meet general household waste demands.
Out of the 2503 votes received, an overwhelming 92.65 per cent of respondents said “yes” and just 7.35 per cent wanted the service to remain fortnightly.
“This survey said it all,” Cr Wood said.
Fellow first-term councillor Cyndi Power said the council had a “responsibility” to listen and act on the “overwhelming” feedback of the community on the three-bin system.
“Council needs to consult again with the community on this issue,” Cr Power said.
“That 92 per cent result (in the Daily survey) is pretty compelling that something needs to change here.
“I have been elected to be a voice for the community, and what people are saying is there’s got to be a better way of meeting the (general waste-disposal needs) of our residents.”
The Victorian Government says the council should be collecting general waste on a weekly basis.
