After years of debate, a bulky goods kerbside pick-up looks out of the question for Maitland.
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The kerbside pick-up, illegal dumping and a call for tenders to dispose of the city’s general waste, will all come under scrutiny in separate items during Tuesday’s council meeting.
Council officers have recommended that council not proceed a bulky waste collection service mainly because of the cost.
Council has considered the introduction of such a service on numerous occasions but officers said the significant cost associated with providing it coupled with concerns regarding negative impacts on the streetscape, prevented the implementation of a bulky waste collection.
In a report, officers said there are two types of bulky waste collection services; an on-call service and a scheduled or zone-based collection service.
“Given the significant on-going cost (the cost range for two services per household was about $100 to $140) involved in providing a bulky waste collection and the high risk of negative impacts on streetscapes, it is recommended not to introduce a bulky waste collection service,” the report said.
Council will also discuss whether it should become a full member of the Hunter - Central Coast RID Squad. It has been an associate member since 2013. The report said illegal dumping and land filling is increasing and full membership would help council benefit from approved State funding to combat the problem.
In another report councillors will consider inviting tenders for the disposal of kerbside collected domestic waste at a third party centre. Landfill at the Mt Vincent Road Waste Management Centre (MVWMC) is reaching capacity. As a means of prolonging the site’s life, a development application (DA) to increase the height of the landfill has been lodged.
A second DA for the construction of a waste transfer and recycling facility, allowing the transport of waste to other facilities, is being considered by an independent consultant. “In anticipation of the future need to transfer waste to alternate facilities and continue to conserve landfill space at MVWMC it is pertinent to direct council’s waste trucks to another centre.” In 2016 council entered into a waste disposal agreement with Newcastle council for 18 months from January 2017. Since September 2016, 31,690 tonnes of waste has been transported to Newcastle.
