Revealed: The massive shake-up for green services at Gold Coast tips
Council is moving ahead with the permanent reduction of a popular service at its recycling centres across the Gold Coast despite the objections of several councillors.
Council
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IN a potential shake-up of services at city dumps, the council is considering the permanent reduction of green waste bins at its recycling centres across the Gold Coast.
Despite the protest of some councillors, restrictions put in place due to social distancing requirements during COVID-19 are likely to remain long after the health crisis.
It means many motorists must cart their home green waste further distances along the Pacific Motorway.
An officer’s report obtained by the Bulletin shows bureaucrats believe the green waste bins placed at waste recycling centres (WRC) are “highly inefficient” in terms of collection and transportation.
The COVID-19 restrictions introduced in March required every second customer bay to be closed at the council’s waste recycling centres.
“The most effectives means of trying to minimise the operational impact of this requirement on a number of WRC, was to divert all green waste customers to one of council’s five green waste pads at Merrimac, Reedy Creek, Molendinar, Stapleton or Coomera,” the report said.
“While is it anticipated social distancing requirements will be required for some time to come, returning to the previous use of green waste bins at WRC at Helensvale, Mudgeeraba, Currumbin and Jacobs Well is not considered desirable.”
Green waste accounts for 20-30 per cent of rubbish — and using the bins costs seven times more than a pad.
The report confirmed Mudgeeraba WRC is planned for a potential closure given the neighbouring cemetery must be expanded.
Officers also revealed Helensvale does not have land available for a pad.
Councillors had discussed the item in closed session after Councillor Cameron Caldwell, backed by Cr William Owen-Jones, moved for the green waste services at Helensvale be reopened “until such time as a more permanent solution” could be found.
The northern-based councillors were backed by Crs Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden and Hermann Vorster but their motion was lost 11-4.
Mudgeeraba-based councillor Glenn Tozer supports measures that will save money for ratepayers, but believes more investigations are needed.
“The transfer station in Mudgeeraba is an important asset, but so is our local cemetery where the community remember their loved ones who have passed,” he said.
“More information is needed before a decision on which is most important over the long-term. Green waste is accepted at Merrimac and Reedy Creek, both under 10 minutes drive from Mudgeeraba, and due to my lobbying almost all hinterland properties now have access to kerbside green bin services.
“For these reasons, saving money on expensive green waste bin truck transfers to our bigger centres is a good outcome for ratepayers.”
Cr Tozer said he was less certain about a suitable outcome in the north.
“I’m less informed about the Helensvale area but I trust the local councillors in those areas to argue for the best value-for-money outcome for the city. We do need to balance a priority to recycle our green waste with sensible drop-off options for residents.”
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