Garbage bin issue sparks heated debate between neighbours

A debate has been sparked over whether you should place your bin on the kerb or in the gutter after two residents went head-to-head over the rule.

Where do you place your garbage bins for collection?

It’s a contentious issue that has caused a division between lot of Aussie neighbours.

Does it belong on the footpath, nature strip, or in the gutter out the front of your house?

An elderly resident by the name of George, who lives at Stockland Retirement Village in Campbelltown, southwest Sydney, became so fed up with where his neighbour Judy was placing her green bin, he decided to move it himself.

The ongoing saga was aired onA Current Affair with George telling the reporter Judy parks her bin on a patch of grass about 3m away from the road, near his letterbox.

But Judy’s daughter says otherwise, explaining her mother does not leave the bin that far up the verge.

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George and Judy have been arguing about where a garbage bin should be placed for collection. Picture: A Current Affair

“She does not, George. She never, ever has put the bins there. Have you got photos of evidence?” she asked.

Judy interjected, showing the host where she leaves the bins – on the grass, near the gutter, about 5m away from where George was pointing.

She also shared footage of George grabbing at her bins and moving them off the grass.

The reason George is furious over the alleged bin placement is because he says it ruins the fruits of his labour.

He said he regularly waters and fertilises the grass out the front of both his and Judy’s home, and does not want garbage bins sitting on the patch.

The pair continued to argue with no immediate resolution, but according to George, the bin is supposed to be in the gutter – in front of the driveway – before it is collected by the garbage truck.

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George, who lives in Stockland Retirement Village in Cambelltown, claims his neighbour places her bin on a patch of grass (pictured) about 3m from the road, near his letterbox. Picture: A Current Affair

A Cambelltown City Council spokesperson told news.com.au there’s a 1m rule when it comes to collection in its LGA.

“We ask that residents keep bins 50cm apart and clear of parked cars and trees by leaving a 1m space,” the spoksperson said.

On the council’s website is also states bins should be put out on the kerbside.

While it may sound like a petty issue, it has continued to cause a rift between Aussie neighbours with hundreds of viewers expressing similar experiences to George and Judy.

“I have neighbours who are going berserk because I used to have my bins beside my gate on what they maintain is ‘common ground’,” one wrote on Facebook.

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George, who appeared on A Current Affair, told the host Judy’s placement of the bin is incorrect and often moves it to the driveway. Picture: A Current Affair

“They are inundating the landlords and agent with emails and my agent is responding by telling me to get them off his back.”

Another person commented they have neighbours who get their bin emptied and then “bring it over, in-between our neighbours’ bins to get emptied again”.

“We have had our bin not emptied because of this. We had to complain as talking to them did nothing,” they continued.

Others went on to weigh in on the George and Judy debacle.

“I think the woman has been treated unfairly … she is entitled to place her bin on the grass out the front of her home … and if you look at her pathway from the side gate it technically could go down to the road,” one woman wrote.

Bins should be put out on the kerbside, according to Cambelltwon City Council’s website. Picture: Supplied

Another Facebook user said they thought George probably just “had pride in his grass” and didn’t want a bin blocking the view.

“Stick to your guns George,” one person added, while another explained exactly how each bin is meant to be placed on the street.

“On each council website and info sent in the mail it shows you where to put/place you’re bins,” they wrote.

“Ours [should be] on the nature strip and set exactly a metre apart, must be placed after a certain time the night before and must be put away before a certain time the evening emptied, or you will be fined by our council.

“It’s poor planning and greed when there is no pathway between road and property line.”