By Tate Papworth
Brimbank’s annual hard rubbish service could be drastically different in years to come.
As part of its new waste, recycling and litter strategy, the council is considering introducing an “at call” service instead of the current designated period.
Brimbank infrastructure and city services acting director Tom Razmovski said a decision on the plan’s feasibility would soon be reached.
“A key action of council’s newly adopted Waste, Recycling and Litter Strategy is to review the cost/benefit of implementing an ‘at call’ hard waste collection service as an alternative to the current ‘annual blanket’ collection service,” Mr Razmovski said.
“It is anticipated a report will be presented to council in the coming months.”
In previous years, the hard rubbish period has created cluttered streets and illegal dumping, but Mr Razmovski said this year’s collection, which recently concluded, had been a success.
“Brimbank’s annual hard waste collection service is conducted over six weeks to cover all suburbs, and households have been provided with specific information regarding their collection week and what items can and cannot be placed out for collection,” he said.
“This also included instructions to only place hard waste on the nature strip the weekend prior to collection week.
“Items being placed out too early … can be considered illegal rubbish dumping, but overall the hard waste collection service has been successfully provided to the community.”
Illegal dumping has been a significant problem for Brimbank council.
The council received 4800 reports of dumped rubbish and littering in the past financial year and is forced to spend about $700,000 a year cleaning up.
Brimbank mayor Margaret Giudice said last month the council was clamping down on offenders.
“Council has a zero tolerance approach to illegal rubbish dumping,” she said.
“The consequences for not acting responsibly are significant and offenders can be served with an infringement or prosecution in the magistrates court.”
