Hobsons Bay council rolls out more bins but fewer collections
A west Melbourne council is on the nose this week as rubbish bin collections are cut to once a fortnight, leaving residents to deal with putrid overflowing bins. Another inner-city council is set to follow suit.
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Overflowing bins are causing a stench to waft across Melbourne’s west, following a council’s decision to cut rubbish collection to once a fortnight.
A new four-bin recycling system came into effect this week in the Hobsons Bay City Council area, allowing people to separate glass, recycling, food compost and green waste, and general household rubbish.
It was aimed at cutting down waste going to landfill but it has attracted a backlash from residents worried about the foul smell from bursting bins, which were now picked up fortnightly instead of weekly.
The reduced frequency of bin collections has been a particular concern for families with babies because of the build-up of nappies, while dog owners have reported similar odour problems picking up after their pets.
It came as Yarra City Council looked to follow suit, with plans to cut bin collections to fortnightly and to implement the same four-bin model, following a trial in Abbotsford last year.
Yarra councillor Stephen Jolly said he was opposed to the bin plan and described it as “bananas’’.
“This is bread-and-butter council business and they want to slash it in half,” he said.
“There’s no reason to do it as the council has plenty of money.
“In the heat, it’s going to be a disaster with vermin, the smell from rubbish like dirty nappies.”
Altona North father of two Paul Barker said he was in favour of improved recycling processes but said the fortnightly rubbish collection had already posed problems in the Hobsons Bay area.
“The only place we can store our bins is right outside our front door under our bedroom windows. We’ve noticed the smell, especially after a hot day, it’s not pleasant,” he said.
“I know you can buy a bin that’s double the size but there are ongoing fees for that and I don’t see why we should be penalised.”
Mr Barker said every bin in his street was overflowing when they were wheeled out for collection on Tuesday.
The changeover to the new system has caused some confusion, including for contractors who missed a collection in parts of Williamstown and Altona North due to what was dubbed a “calendar error”.
Hobsons Bay mayor Colleen Gates said she expected “things will start to smooth out as our residents and contractors get used to the four bin system”.
“While some have found it challenging, the majority of feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and people understand why this is needed,” she said.
Yarra council, which had a bumper $26 million surplus last year, has reported that it was already $8.3 million richer this year than expected and wants to spend $500,000 to beautify the area around Richmond Town Hall and the old police station on Bridge Rd.
It is about the same amount that would be saved from its bin cutback.
Collingwood mum of two Jess Hyslop said many areas had problems with vermin, which would only proliferate with fewer bin collections.
“I try to limit how much I put in my bin but it’s still full every week. I can’t imagine what it’d be like for share houses or for large families,” she said.
“To only have bin collections every fortnight doesn’t make sense.
“Rates are increasing but services are decreasing.’’
Yarra council is richer this year, in part thanks to an extra $1.1 million from parking fees and fines as well as $3.7 million in developer contributions.
But the council even floated the idea of another collection to deal with the build-up of soiled nappies.
“There is an opportunity for council to explore the introduction of a nappy collection service should the issue of nappies in a fortnightly garbage service become a major barrier,’’ the report said.
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Hobsons Bay council has purchased 60,000 new bins for their scheme and employed a group of cyclists to ride the streets and check people’s bins.
Those found to be complying with the recycling rules get a sticker with a green tick while those who have items in the wrong bins get a sticker with a note explaining which items can’t be accepted.
The council said it would not comment on the program’s total budget, citing commercial in confidence.
To minimise bin odour, it suggested people wrap nappies in a biodegradable bag or food waste in a sheet of newspaper.
People with questions or concerns can attend recycling information sessions hosted by the council at Williamstown Town Hall, Laverton Community Hub and South Kingsville Community Centre over the next three weeks.
Comment was being sought from Yarra council.