Landfill Hours Will Be Further Explored

October 18, 2007: Proposed changes to Bega Valley Shire Council landfill hours have been deferred for further investigation.

Waste Services manager David Basil said Council was keen to consider all options before making any changes to the management of the shire’s landfills.

“The proposed changes aim to provide a more efficient service that still meets the community’s needs,” Mr Basil said.

“As part of the review process, we have received submissions from the community and commercial operators.”

A report was presented to Council outlining the 21 submissions received and possible changes to landfill hours.

“The report showed that there were two main issues for the community and commercial operators. These were the need to access waste facilities in the afternoon for convenience and business efficiency, and concerns of increased illegal dumping,” Mr Basil said.

“Operating hours will continue to be explored. Analysis of the total tip usage for the last three months for Eden and Bermagui has on average 11 customers per day and Merimbula has 34 customers per day.

“These tip usage figures are for all transactions including commercial customers such as Council’s Waste Trucks and other commercial operators. This equates to around one to two customers per hour at Eden and Bermagui and four to five customers at Merimbula.

Mr Basil said current landfill contracts finished in April 2008, and Council was exploring opportunities to improve efficiencies as well as maintain a good level of waste services.

“There are some major changes being considered for waste services in the future with planning continuing for a proposed central waste facility and we are also looking at the potential for cost savings,” Mr Basil said.

He said a further report would be prepared for Council not only looking at operating hours, but contract arrangements at the waste facilities which encouraged sustainable practices to reduce, reuse and recycle before waste goes to landfill .

The current operating arrangements will remain in place until April 2008.