We're reviewing how waste and recycling services are managed across the district and want to hear your views.
The proposed changes aim to improve recycling quality, reduce contamination, provide better information about where waste goes, and ensure waste services are delivered fairly and consistently.
Some of the key proposals include:
- Introducing a three-strike system for repeated non-compliance with recycling collection requirements.
- Requiring private waste collection operators and waste facilities to register with Council and report on the waste they manage.
- Clarifying who is eligible to receive kerbside collection bins and crates.
These changes could affect residents, businesses, property owners, and waste service providers.
What is being proposed?
THREE STRIKE RULE
The draft Waste Management Services Policy introduces a three strike system for users who don’t comply with collection conditions.
The current policy has a warning system included but the new draft policy goes further.
Three orange or red tags within a 12-month period will result in Council not picking up your recycling (bin and glass crate) for a period of three months. Refuse bins will continue to be collected, provided they are compliant.
Examples of non-compliance include:
- Not separating recyclables from refuse, i.e. putting refuse in the recycling bin.
- Recyclables are not clean.
- Bin is over-filled or lid is not fully closed.
- Exceeding the weight limit of the bin or crate.
- Prohibited or hazardous items in the bin.
- Bin/crate not placed out by the correct time on collection day.
A traffic light system is proposed as following:
| Green tag | Safe to collect. Compliant - There are no problems with the kerbside collection. |
| Orange tag | Minor non-compliance but safe to collect. The collection will continue. - An orange tag will be placed on the kerbside collection approved container.
- A flyer will be placed in the letterbox advising the occupier how to correctly recycle.
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| Red tag | The container/recycling is non-compliant and unsafe to collect. The container/recycling is too contaminated to collect or does not meet the kerbside collection terms and conditions – it will NOT be collected. - A red tag will be placed on the container/recycling.
- A warning letter will be issued, advising of the area of non-compliance.
- If this is the second warning, the warning will advise of the implications of further non-compliance.
- Users will need to remove their bin/crate from the kerbside and change the contents so that they comply with the terms and conditions of kerbside collection and place the container/recycling out for collection on the next collection day. Unfortunately, if the user cannot wait until the next collection day, they will need to make their own arrangements to take the refuse and/or recyclables to a waste facility, such as McLean’s Pit Landfill and Recycling Centre.
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Before any decisions are made, we want to understand what matters most to our community. Review the proposed changes and tell us what you think. Your feedback will help Council consider the benefits, impacts, and practical implications of the proposals before making a final decision.
WASTE COLLECTION AND WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITY REGISTRATION
A significant change in the draft Waste Management and Minimisation Bylaw is the introduction of registration for waste collection operators and private waste management facilities. This will require operators to register with Council, pay an annual fee and complete annual reporting on:
- Quantities of waste handled, including source and destination of each waste type and processing method (i.e. recycling, recovery, treatment, disposal etc); and
- If disposing to non-Council facilities, to provide weighbridge receipts and gate records to show waste tonnages per waste type.
Currently Council can only report on waste which has been disposed of at Council run facilities. Registration of operators and private facilities will allow Council to report a district-wide view and check our progress against the West Coast Regional Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP).
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The draft Waste Management Services Policy now clearly outlines eligibility criteria for receiving kerbside collection bins and crates. Properties used for residential and commercial purposes which are classed as permanent or semi-permanent and are in the designated kerbside collection area can receive bins and will be charged the applicable targeted rate.
Definitions in the draft policy are as follows:
| Permanent | Any building, structure or improvement that is fixed in location and intended for ongoing or indefinite use, including structures with permanent foundations or connections to services. Includes properties which receive a Code of Compliance Certificate (CCC). |
| Semi-permanent | Any structure or improvement that is installed for medium to long-term use but is able to be removed, relocated or modified with relative ease compared to permanent works, including relocatable buildings, modular installations and structures with minimal or non-permanent foundations. |
It is important to note that once a permanent or semi-permanent property has the kerbside refuse and recycling collection targeted rate applied to their rates bill and they receive their bins, the rate will apply until the semi-permanent or permanent dwelling or business has been removed from site and Council has inspected the site to confirm. Changes to targeted rates apply from the following rating year as per the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002.
People who would like to receive bins before the start of the next rating year (when the targeted rate becomes effective) can do so by paying a pro-rata amount (for the whole number of weeks remaining to 30 June) of the kerbside collection targeted rate to Council prior to the bins being delivered.
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