Break O’Day residents will be able to switch to larger kerbside bins for free until the end of the financial year.
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The Break O’Day Council made the decision to encourage residents to continue trialling smaller wheelie bin sizes, but agreed to make larger bins available free of charge to those in the community who requested them.
The motion brought forward to the council discussed whether there would be an increase in bin size and how much said change would cost.
“The motion was brought to the council because some residents in the area have indicated that they may need a larger general waste bin,” Break O’Day mayor Mick Tucker said.
“The council needed to discuss whether to change over from 140-litre to 240-litre waste bins and how much the larger bin might cost on an annual basis.”
The council’s decision comes during its trial roll-out of recycling bins.
Cr Tucker urged people to try out the new service and see how it affects their waste loads.
“We have been asking residents to try the new service for a few months so they can get a good idea of how much will actually end up in recycling,” he said.
“Evidence shows that over 50 per cent of waste is recyclable materials and what their remaining waste needs are before requesting a larger bin.”
Debate on the motion also revolved around the ability of ratepayers to afford the cost to increase the size of the bin.
The touted cost of $40 was considered by some councillors to be too expensive for ratepayers to afford.
Councillor John Tucker raised concerns about the effect new bin costs would have on low-income families, however he said commercial businesses would have little trouble.
The council decided to make larger bins available free of charge, but Cr Tucker said there will likely be an update of policy regarding bins and charges in for the 2018-19 financial year.
While ultimately the council decided not to change its waste policy, it has flagged potential future alterations.
“It is highly likely that there will a higher charge for a larger bin in the next financial year as flagged by the councillors in the November meeting,” he said.
“This is because the cost to the council to get rid of waste increases in direct proportion to the amount of waste there is to get rid of.”
Any residents wishing to obtain larger bins can contact the council offices on 6376 7900.