Councillor Marcus Cornish slams Penrith Council over garbage collection changes

Penrith Councillor Marcus Cornish slams council for failing to deliver an adequate garbage service to ratepayers.

Penrith Councillor Marcus Cornish has said council are “failing ratepayers” when it comes to garbage collection.

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Penrith Councillor Marcus Cornish has slammed the council for failing to deliver an “adequate” garbage service to rural residents.

Cr Cornish said the upcoming changes to the waste management system, in particular the reduction in the collection of the red waste bin from weekly to fortnightly to rural properties, was an example of council “failing to listen to the people”.

The traditional two-bin system will now become three in rural Penrith City, with the introduction of the green bin.

“The people of Penrith are telling them they need a weekly red bin pick-up, and now Penrith Council is imposing a fortnightly red bin service on the rural communities in Penrith,” Mr Cornish said.

“Having over-full red bins stinking of garbage and soiled nappies is not just unsightly, it is a health risk and one that is heightened over the summer months.”

The changes will affect rural residents when the three-bin system is introduced on July 1.

Rather than having the current red and yellow system, a green bin will be introduced for food scraps and garden clippings.

A council spokesman said while the changes were aimed at reducing the amount of waste produced, there is a possibility for households to save money under the scheme.

“The three-bin system is part of council’s aims to reduce waste generation, increase recycling rates and divert waste from landfill, while also keeping costs low for residents,” the spokesman said.

Cr Cornish has called on council to rethink its priorities when it comes to serving ratepayers.

“Many rural residents will be see a reduction in their domestic waste charge if they choose the sustainable service option.”

But Cr Cornish said the council needs to change its priorities.

“While Penrith Council crows over the money in their coffers by reducing garbage collection, they seem to forget they are there to provide vital services such as garbage collection,” he said.

“With increasing complaints regarding bins not being emptied, I believe Penrith Council needs to consider reinstating its own fleet of garbage trucks as Blacktown Council still has, so that council and the ratepayers are not at the mercy of the oligopoly of garbage contractors and their pricing.”

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