Toowoomba Regional Council to vote on new bulk kerbside collection service, but introduction unlikely

Councillors will vote this week on whether to create a new bulk kerbside collection service in the Toowoomba region. But a major stumbling block stands in the way.

The Toowoomba Regional Council isn’t likely to introduce a bulky goods kerbside collection service any time soon.

Toowoomba residents hoping to see the launch of bulk kerbside collections could be waiting a while, with council officers preparing to recommend against its introduction this week.

The Toowoomba Regional Council will vote at Tuesday’s committee meeting on the topic, after its viability was floated by several councillors in June last year.

This earned support from the vast majority of Chronicle readers in an online poll.

But in a new report tabled to councillors, waste services manager Matt Torr strongly recommended against its introduction in “any form”.

Mr Torr’s comments were based on the fact a bulk kerbside collection service would be a cost to all ratepayers across the region, but could likely only be used by a fraction of the population.

“Several options have been considered for the implementation of a service, including region wide scheduled or on-call services, and a smaller-scale trial,” his report said.

All options represent a new service and therefore require additional funding above council’s existing budget.

“The service is estimated to be used by 20 to 25 per cent of residents, with all residents contributing towards the cost.

This represents a significant subsidy to those using the service and is not in line with the general principle of user pays.”

Mr Torr said there were several alternatives for residents wanting to get rid of excess bulky waste.