Macedon Ranges residents stuck with rubbish after contractor Wheelie Waste stops collection

GARBAGE collectors in the Macedon Ranges, northwest of Melbourne, have returned to work this morning, a day after stopping their service without warning. But it could still take until next week for the backlog of thousands of bins to be cleared.

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GARBAGE collectors in the Macedon Ranges, northwest of Melbourne, have returned to work this morning, a day after stopping their service without warning.

About 3000 homes in the area — which covers areas including Kyneton, Lancefield and Gisborne — were left with piles of rubbish yesterday after the snap withdrawal of services from contractor Wheelie Waste.

Macedon Ranges Council assets and operations director Dale Thornton said he was told at 5.45am yesterday the long-term contractor would not be picking up bins.

Mr Thornton said the action was taken without consultation or notice, and Wheelie Waste told the council it was in protest of the State Government’s lack of detail regarding a rebate to address the increased cost of recycling.

The council is among several affected by a decision by Visy to stop exporting recyclables to China.

A $13 million State Government assistance package for councils absorbing higher waste costs was announced in February.

Mr Thornton said the council was “pleased” services had resumed, and normal collections would take place today, tomorrow and Monday.

“Over the next few days we will work to ensure all missed bins will be picked up as soon as possible,” Mr Thornton said.

Garbage collection services have resumed in the Macedon Ranges.

He said residents should put their bins out on their normal collections days, and leave them out if they were already out.

Services are expected to be back to normal by next Tuesday, he said.

About 19,500 properties in the Macedon Ranges have their waste collected weekly — about 9700 recycling bin pick-ups and 4800 green waste bin pick-ups.

Mr Thornton said it was the first time in the shire’s history waste collections had been cancelled.

The Warrnambool-based Wheelie Waste services 11 regional Victorian council areas including the nearby Hepburn and Mt Alexander shires.

Wheelie Waste did not comment when its head office was contacted by Leader.

Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said recycling was a council matter but the government was aware of the issue.