By Tate Papworth
Brimbank’s annual kerbside hard waste collection period has been scrapped in favour of an “at call” service.
From mid-2019, residents will be able to request one free hard rubbish collection at any time, as opposed to waiting for the municipality-wide collection, which is normally around July.
Residents will also be able to book additional user pay hard waste collections at any time of the year.
The council hopes the change will eliminate kerbside mess, scavenging and illegal dumping associated with the annual collection.
Cr Sam David said the annual collection period was unsightly.
“Let’s be honest, it’s an absolute mess, so this is a good move.”
Cr Lucinda Congreve said the change was highly divisive.
“We surveyed the community on whether or not they wanted an on-call service or annual period and it was 50-50,” she said.
“If two people hadn’t voted it could’ve gone either way. It’s divisive – people absolutely adore hard waste and some can’t stand it.
“It’s key to note we’re not taking services away. Everyone will still have access to their one pick-up a year, it’ll just be at their leisure.”
Mayor Margaret Giudice said the move will help the council deal with several issues which arise from the annual collection period “including scavenging and associated illegal dumping – which comes at a significant cost to Brimbank”.
“Brimbank residents will no longer have to wait for that designated week to come around once a year to get rid of their hard waste,” she said.
The council expects to be able to introduce the ‘at call’ service by mid-2019 following a tender process.
