FAQ

A 240 litre bin is proposed for fortnight collection. This is the same size as the recycling bin now used by most residential propoerties.

The service would be provided to all properties that are currently being supplied with a garbage collection service. There would be an application process for unit complexes and the strata management may apply to Council for a service as these properties would have limited space for additional green waste bins and in some cases are already serviced by private contractors.

Under the Local Government Act, once a council provides a waste service to an area, then it must charge for this service regardless of whether it is used. Therefore if you currently have a garbage and recycling collection, and Council decided to introduce a fortnightly green waste service, then you would also be charged for this.

Charges would double or triple if the service was optional as the main costs associated with a green waste collection service are for the provision of trucks and drivers.

Council would use a variety of methods to educate residents and introduce a system for managing non-compliant people who would be subject to further conditions or loss of bin. The new trucks will be able to monitor contamination, as they record what is dropped in from the bin with cameras which also note GPS location.

Option 1 would be available each alternate week and Option 2 would be available twice a year only. Option 3 would be provided at the convenience of the resident.

No, the cost of the green waste collection bins would be built into the annual fee so there will be no one off charge.

Council anticipates that a decision will be made quickly once the community consultation is completed, with the selected green waste option to be implemented and charged from July 2014.

Responses from community and their preferred options will be the subject of a report to Council when community consultation concludes. It is intended that a decision be made in late September or early October 2013.

Due to the Australian Standards and classifications for putresible waste (meat, bones etc) we would need to process the entire green waste collection to a higher level and this would result in higher costs which would be passed onto ratepayers. Council will work with the new waste contractor to look at options for managing food scraps.  

Collected green waste will be delivered to the RRC by trucks. The new trucks will be able to monitor contamination, as they record what is dropped in from the bin with cameras which also note GPS location.

Green waste will be unloaded, checked for contamination and then processed on site into mulch.

Large amounts of debris, broken branches and trees can be scattered throughout the Shire as a result of high winds and storms. When identified as a severe event, Council assists residents in their efforts to clean up by offering a free disposal of wind related garden waste (does not include grass clippings). Council’s website, local newspapers and radio stations would inform residents at the time. Food spoilt due to power outages should be dumped in regular household waste collection bins.

Yes a report was completed and considered by Council.

To view a copy of the report and associated Council resolutions check out the library of documents on this website. 

There are many types of garden waste which can be collected:

• grass clippings
• weeds and prunings
• plants and shrubs
• leaves and flowers
• twigs and small barnches
• untreated timber

Please note that kitchen scraps cannot be collected.

• Un-contaminated organic garden waste is currently taken into the Resource Recovery Centre by residents or via the user pays collection service.
• Green waste is sorted at each user pays collection point (household) and loaded into a truck for delivery to the RRC, ensuring low contamination rates.
• Green waste delivered direct to the RRC by residents and contractors is checked to ensure it is clean and free from contamination.
• The green waste is unloaded on the ground and stored at a designated area in the RRC ready for contractors to process five times a year.
• Mulches are sold to RRC customers and used on Council parks and gardens.
• Green waste provides income to the RRC and Council.
• RRC produces different grades of mulches and compost tested to Australian Standards with the current green waste.

Council has prepared this information kit for distribution at key points to ensure that residents are informed of the options being considered before they identify their preference.

A number of methods will be used to promote the consultation and provide opportunities for feedback including:

• A survey – available online, for collection from key locations and posted to 4000 randomly selected residential ratepayers.
• Information posted to 4000 residents previously consulted about green waste services.
• Letters posted to people who have used the existing green waste service within the last 12 months.
• Information distributed to community organisations representing villages and towns in the shire.
• An email notification to the ‘Our Future – Our Choice – Our Say’ contact group (see page 2 for details).
• Displays set up at the Civic Centre, libraries and Resource Recovery Centre.
• Information provided on Council’s website.
• Advertising placed in the Southern Highland News.
• Online forum, library of documents and online survey provided at www.yoursaywingecarribee.com.au

Join other residents and become an Our Future - Our Choice - Our Say member.

You will be provided with opportunities to have a say about important decisions affecting the Wingecarribee local government area and also receive information about shire wide and locality specific projects.

Sign up for emailed alerts at www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/newsletters, email charmaine.cooper@wsc.nsw.gov.au or add your name and email address to our contact list by calling (02) 4868 0861.

To be advised about forums posted on this website go to the home page and register to become involved.