Locals rubbish CVC's decision

A PROPOSAL by Clarence Valley Council (CVC) to change garbage collection services has caused a stink with local residents.

Changes have been proposed for rubbish collection in the Clarence Valley. . Picture: Queensland Times

A PROPOSAL by Clarence Valley Council (CVC) to change garbage collection services was approved at a council meeting last night but is causing a stink with local residents.

Judy Pigg from Ulmarra said she was 'horrified' when she read an article in last week's Daily Examiner detailing the council's decision to throw out existing rubbish collections in a bid to encourage recycling and reduce landfill waste by up to 60%.

The proposed changes include:

• Reducing red bin collections from weekly to fortnightly.
• Increasing green waste collections from fortnightly to weekly.
• Introducing a larger-sized recycle bin to be collected fortnightly.

Ms Pigg said health and hygiene problems could arise from a fortnightly red bin collection.

"What about families with children who use disposable nappies or elderly people who regularly use incontinence pads?" she said.

"What will these people say when the rubbish sits outside in their bin for two weeks and people begin to ask them 'what smells?'

"Hygiene is definitely the problem where the red bins are concerned. When the weather warms up, they will sit in the heat for ages and attract flies and maggots.

"I also think there is an increased chance of people dumping rubbish in bushland and on roadsides if they have an increased amount of red bin litter which is only collected once a fortnight."

Ms Pigg also expressed concern for people living in underlying areas who don't have green waste bins.

"These people will be losing a third of their garbage collection service," she said.

"Will they be given a reduction in their garbage collection rates?

"The council needs to think carefully about these changes."

Environmental officer for waste education at CVC Suzanne Lynch said a 2009 council audit revealed 30% of red bins in the Clarence Valley contained food items.

Confirming the new changes would result in a small increase of rating costs for all Clarence Valley residents, Ms Lynch is adamant they will also encourage more households to recycle materials.

"The rates increase will be in keeping with the council's waste levy enforced by the State Government," she said.

"Landfill prices are increasing. The more people start to recycle, the less they will have to pay."

She advised residents to double-wrap garbage, including nappies and sanitary pads, in plastic and paper to reduce the smell.

Originally published as Locals rubbish CVC's decision