It’s always interesting to see what best captures readers’ attention.
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While much of the recent council meeting revolved around discussions of saving ratepayers from additional hits to their hop pocket, the article that garnered by far the most engagement was a question over the shire’s waste collection schedule.
Cr Sharon Tapscott asked if a report could be prepared into the current green and yellow bin collection services and if they needed to be altered.
She said she had heard from residents claiming their yellow recycling bin was not always full for each fortnightly collection, while their green waste bins filled too soon after emptying.
Green waste bin collection services are currently only available within town limits of the shire’s main centres and are collected once a month.
The topic flourished as quickly as summer lawn, with numerous comments through social media and two related Bega District News polls receiving more than 500 votes each within days.
The overwhelming majority of respondents in the poll favoured a fortnightly green waste collection, while a significant majority preferred to see the yellow bins remain a fortnightly service.
That was a sentiment shared by many people commenting on Facebook, believing the yellow bins were adequately serviced already, although some did suggest weekly could be of more benefit.
Increasing the green bin pickups to fortnightly was also a popular suggestion, but only if it didn’t involve additional costs.
We approached the council to ask what it currently cost to service the green and yellow bin customers and what would be an estimated cost impact of potential schedule changes.
The council chose not to comment until the full report requested by Cr Tapscott is prepared.
It said it was unable to offer a view, “keen to make sure all the info is at hand before presenting any options or ideas to councillors”.
So we ask readers, please continue to offer feedback on this issue. It may not be the most pressing item, or the one requiring them most attention of councillors and council.
However, it has been, by far, the one garnering the most input and engagement from you in the community in recent times – and that is worth listening to.