Dozens of residents have called for lower tip fees and free kerbside pick up in the wake of the Mercury’s report into illegal dumping across the city.
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Many of the approximately 100 comments on the Mercury’s story on social media drew a link between current tip fees and illegal dumping.
“I'm in the RFS. We find illegally dumped rubbish at almost 90 per cent of bush fires these days, all areas where there's access and bush you'll find dumped garbage,” David Seabrook commented.
“I firmly believe the exorbitant cost of going to a tip is largely to blame.”
Many comments drew comparisons to nearby local government areas that have seen reductions in illegal dumping.
“Lower prices at the tip, and introduce council pick up in our area,” Zoey Matheson wrote.
“I moved here from Coffs Harbour and we had free council pick up from our home twice a year. We never had illegal dumping issues.”
While Maitland City Council does not offer kerbside pick up, it issues rate payers with a voucher entitling them to one free trip to Mt Vincent Road Waste Management Centre each year.
It also offers free disposal of some sorted wastes.
However residents voiced concerns that many households do not have access to trailers or other means to transport large items like refrigerators or mattresses to the tip.
Councillor Philip Penfold weighed in on the debate offering his support for a kerbside pick up.
“I agreed with booked kerbside pick up,” he said.
“Some of my colleagues don't. I hope to have a recommended option come forward soon.”
Many people listed areas they felt were dumping hot-spots.
Among them were bushland areas around the Melville Ford Bridge, Kurri Kurri TAFE, Metford and Tenambit.
Last week council outlined its priorities for the next financial year in the Delivery Program and draft Operational Plan 2016/17.
Among the top priorities were the start of construction of the new Waste Transfer Station at Mount Vincent and green waste collection.
In the draft of the delivery program council general manager David Evans said council was focused on the finalisation and adoption of the City Wide Waste Strategy and the commencement of the green waste collection system by April 2017.
He also said council would continue to work on reducing illegal dumping.
Council will hold a free mattress drop off for Maitland residents on Saturday, May 14 at the council depot carpark on Metford Road at East Maitland.
