Mayor Jack Dempsey announces proposal for free green waste disposal for private residents
Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey has flagged a major change to waste disposal which could be in place by Christmas. DETAILS.
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Mayor Jack Dempsey flagged the introduction of free green waste disposal in a surprise announcement at the Bundaberg Regional Council meeting on Tuesday, July 25.
Mr Dempsey used a mayoral minute not listed in the agenda publicly available prior to the meeting to announce that he has requested a report to be tabled at the next council meeting on recommendations for free green waste disposal for all residents in the Bundaberg region.
Under Mr Dempsey’s proposal, the service enabling free green waste disposal at council waste facilities will be available prior to December 2023.
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Mr Dempsey said despite the size of the Bundaberg region, he is confident the free service can be rolled out to all residents effectively.
“Many other councils across Australia have been able to reduce green waste for their residents, and while we as the council will service a large geographical area, I’m confident that this service can be provided to all residents efficiently and in a cost effective manner,” Mr Dempsey said.
Currently costs for green waste disposal range from $7 for 240L or less, up to $85 per tonne for heavy vehicles.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Dempsey said he could commit to private residents having access to the free service, but its availability to businesses will depend on the outcomes of the report.
“This will mean that ums and dads will not have to pay for taking green waste to council waste facilities,” Mr Dempsey said.
“We are still to see what the outcome will be towards the commercial side of that as well, because the majority of the commercial ones have gotten used to bringing them to the Greensills facility.”
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The Green Solutions Wide Bay facility operated by Greensill Farming has offered free green waste disposal to local residents and businesses since it opened in 2021.
The proposal for free green waste disposal at council facilities comes amid reports of rising landfill waste disposal costs for councils as state government advanced levy payments tail off in the coming years to incentivise the reduction of waste going to landfill.
The annual payments to the Bundaberg Council will decrease from 95 per cent in 2023-24 to 20 per cent by 2030-31.
Free green waste collection was part of Mr Dempsey’s re-election platform at the 2020 local government election.
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Originally published as Mayor Jack Dempsey announces proposal for free green waste disposal for private residents
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