Minister David Speirs rules out fortnightly rubbish collection as councils seek to lower costs in wake of China recycling ban

FORTNIGHTLY bin collection in Adelaide has been ruled out by the State Government, just hours after The Advertiser reported the minister saying he was open to the concept.

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FORTNIGHTLY bin collection in Adelaide has been ruled out by the State Government, just hours after The Advertiser reported the minister saying he was open to the concept.

Environment and Water Minister David Speirs on Monday emerged from a Cabinet meeting to confirm the government would not change legislation that requires weekly bin collection.

Some councils were investigating the possibility of reducing the frequency of pick-ups to reduce landfill.

Mr Speirs said Adelaide households wanted councils to focus on “getting the basics right”.

“The statements which have been floated by the Local Government Association in the last couple of days in relation to reducing collections of household waste from weekly collections to, perhaps, fortnightly collections is something that the State Government is not happy to pay any attention to,” he said.

“We are not keen to see that happen. The State Government is not interested in this proposal.”

Mr Speirs said SA had a world-leading record of diverting waste away from landfill and was “open to a range of ways to look for new and innovative approaches” to maintain that mantle.

He said some regional councils had already moved for fortnightly collection but “it has never really been given any serious consideration” for metropolitan councils.

“Conversations have been had, discussions have been had internally, but it has never progressed to anything more than that.

“I would certainly rule it out for the foreseeable future. I don’t think South Australians have the appetite for this at the moment.”

Asked if the Government’s view had changed following backlash to the idea since the possibility of fortnightly collection was reported, Mr Speirs said: “I have never made any specific statements that we would consider moving from a weekly to a fortnightly collection of waste”.

“I have made general comments that we would work alongside local councils and the waste management industry to look at ways that we could undertake waste management in a more efficient, better way in SA,” he said.

The previous state government banned fortnightly collections after an unpopular trial in Norwood, Payneham & St Peters and Campbelltown councils in 2009.

Councils have fresh motivation to crack down on waste after rubbish-collection costs spiked in the wake of the Chinese Government’s decision to this year ban imported recyclables.

The Local Government Association is now planning to gather evidence to lobby the government to repeal the fortnightly rubbish collection ban.

LGA public affairs executive director Lisa Teburea said councils had raised the idea as a means to encourage residents to improve household recycling habits.

“South Australians already lead the nation in recycling practices, but we should always look for opportunities to further improve,” Ms Teburea said.

“With the State Government’s solid waste levy now at $100 a tonne in metropolitan Adelaide, any waste that is diverted from landfill not only benefits the environment, but also reduces the burden on ratepayers.”

Ms Teburea said as well as changes to government regulations, a shift from weekly collections would require “considerable” community consultation and education programs.

The 2009 State Government-backed trial of fortnightly rubbish collections in NP & SP and Campbelltown prompted a backlash from residents, with reports of overflowing bins causing a stink across neighbourhoods.

Prospect Council had voted to introduce fortnightly collections before the government announced the ban.

At the time, then-environment minister Jay Weatherill cited “significant opposition” from residents among the reasons for the ban.

Waste Management authorities, including East Waste, and some councils have since lobbied the government to relax the restriction — to no avail.

But Mr Speirs said his government would consider all “practical ideas” to improve waste management, including less-frequent rubbish collection.

“I have made it clear that we are open to looking at a range of options that would reduce the amount of waste and continue South Australia’s leadership in this important area,” Mr Speirs said.

Prospect Mayor and Local Government Association of Australia president David O’Loughlin said weekly general rubbish collection would become unnecessary as households improved recycling habits.

“As we get better at recycling and composting food, the volume of material in the (general rubbish) bin will diminish to such an extent that it (weekly collection) is not necessary,” Mr O’Loughlin said.