Salisbury Council to consider offering larger rubbish bins to all residents for free
A northern council is looking into waiving or greatly reducing the fee to residents wanting to almost double the size of their general rubbish bin. But not all elected members support the idea, with one saying it sends the wrong message to homeowners.
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A northern metropolitan council has called for a report into the possibility of giving all residents a much larger general rubbish bin.
Currently Salisbury Council, like most councils, runs a three-bin system – general rubbish collected weekly and recycling and green waste collected fortnightly.
But at its latest meeting, Cr Peter Jensen put forward a motion that the 140 litre red waste bin was “inadequate” for some families.
Current council policy is that people can upgrade from a 140 litre bin to a 240 litre bin for $115 a year, which Cr Jensen says is “unaffordable for many”.
A second 240 litre bin is also available for $184 a year.
Cr Jensen asked for a report into the cost of capping an upgrade to a 240 litre bin for a one-off $50 fee, or making it free.
He said while he was “pro-recycling” he accepted there were times when it was not possible for some people.
“Yes, we should be as sensible as possible, but we need to stand up for those who may need (a larger bin),” Cr Jensen said
Cr Kylie Grenfell said she was “torn” on the idea.
She said having a large family at home – and two general rubbish bins – meant they recycled, composted and did everything they could to keep down the amount of general rubbish.
“But still there are times when I have had to knock on neighbours’ doors asking if I could put a bag in their bins,” Cr Grenfell said.
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Deputy Mayor Julie Woodman said while she understood the reasoning behind the motion she was “disappointed” people were asking for another or larger bin.
She said there should be consideration of people with large families, but they should not be given out “willy-nilly”.
“That just smacks of idiocy, you will have people thinking because they have a larger bin then they have to fill it,” she said.
Cr Graham Reynolds warned there would likely be an ongoing cost to council in the form of the waste levy if the plan was adopted.
He said anyone getting a larger bin under the proposal may not pay the cost “but we will”.
“The problem I see is that if people have too much rubbish for one bin then it can create illegal dumping, or rubbish being left at home for the next collection – which can create a health risk,” Cr Reynolds said.
Cr Maria Blackmore opposed the idea particularly at a time when everyone was trying to reduce the amount going to landfills.
“It sends the wrong idea,” she said.