They were for the general public to bring our bags of steel or aluminium cans, glass bottles, plastic and paper/cardboard and put them into separate containers to be recycled for re-use.

I thought it was a great innovation on the part of our council and gladly used this facility, wanting to do my bit for the ecology and prevent so much good stuff going to landfill.

Then for some reason these bins were removed and all landholders were given a yellow bin to be used just for recyclable waste to be collected separately from our general waste.

We were also encouraged to keep our glass containers separate and this was put into a separate container on the garbage truck, so the broken glass would not contaminate the other recyclables and possibly cause danger to the handlers.

Of course, this incurred an additional cost on our rates, but that was okay – we all felt we were doing our bit to help the environment and returning basic materials to be re-used and thus saving the cost of digging up new material.

Then the service was introduced that used robots instead of manpower to lift the bins – perfectly natural, OH&S and all that – so we lost the separate glass-handling service, but at least we had two separate trucks to collect our waste so we could be reasonably certain it was being treated separately at the other end.

We even saw lots of TV programs showing us how efficient it was at a well-managed recycling facility.

I continued to rinse out bottles and cans, partly to keep my bin smelling okay, but mainly because I wouldn’t want to be at the other end of the chain, sorting filthy smelly waste – who would?

I don’t know how many others bothered to do this, but it takes so little time – even though I began to have my suspicions about what condition these materials would be in by the time they reached their final destination.

The next innovation was to collect both lots of waste at the same time – presumably into separate cubicles on the same truck.

Now I can understand it’s important to keep costs down and council needs to accept the best quote for these services, but our rates have not decreased and the last rate notice did not itemise the various waste services as they used to.

I have also yet been unable to understand how the different loads can be separated at the final destination.

Can you see where all this is leading?

I happened to see a news story on A Current Affair recently about some councils whose waste collectors are bypassing the recycling centre and taking all waste to landfill.

I have always found the Waste People/Cleanaway to be nice people and very reliable, but I think I and other ratepayers would like to know whether our own BVSC can ensure the services we are paying for are being delivered properly.

What guarantee do we have that our separated waste is going to the correct destinations and how is our environment being protected?

I would even like to be invited to take a trip on the truck handling recyclables.

Elvie Preo

Bega

Recently I was hospitalised for three months in both Canberra and local hospitals.  

Without a doubt, the level of treatment both medical and everyday needs, left nothing to be desired.

Both are of a very high standard.

I started in Canberra Hospital, then Bega, transferred to Nowra, then to Canberra again, finally back to Bega.  

At each hospital, all staff were very professional, friendly and nothing was a problem to accede to my request.

My final stay in Bega was highlighted by a readily acceptance from Canberra to a delightful second-floor staff of nurses under Sasha, plus other workers down to the Ladies’ Auxiliary.  

What a happy team of people.

Now back home, this service follows with their program.

I am overwhelmed.

The wide world of retirees and elderly is immense in country areas.  

To have such excellent support and response is very comforting for us all.

“Thank you for yesterday, today and tomorrow.  I know you’ll always be there.”

Neville Fogwell

Bermagui