Amy Hume
PLANS to extend the kerb-side rubbish and recycling collection in Tallarook have been put on hold after a botched survey was brought to council’s attention last week.
The council was to vote on the extension of the scheme to about 220 rural properties following a survey which found 54.8 per cent of the 124 respondents were in favour of the service.
Tallarook resident Liz Turner swayed the council to reconsider the decision after drawing attention to many flaws in the survey and its incomprehensible map.
“Many people didn’t understand the map and thought they weren’t part of the survey area,” she said.
“The survey’s viability is questionable.”
She said many people in the area would not be able to use the service due to long or steep gravel driveways.
“It’s not a suitable service for a rural area and the bins aren’t designed for these areas,” she said.
“They have flimsy wheels and are made for concreted surfaces, not long gravel driveways.
“It’s unfair that people have to pay for this service just because it goes past their front doorway – especially if they can’t use it.”
Ms Turner said ratepayers were deemed responsible for their own bins and would face a charge for a replacement bin if it was stolen or damaged.
She pointed out that it would be difficult for rural residents to monitor their bins.
Ms Turner said the survey also failed to consider the demographic and questioned if the service was “part of the council’s plans to close the Tallarook Transfer Station.”
Cr Kelley Stewart said council should reconsider the extension of the service.
“I think we need a bit more information before we make an informed decision,” she said.
“If one person hasn’t got it then chances are there are other people in the same boat.
“Sometimes it’s just not appropriate and if there’s no support from the community, then it’s not worth pushing it through just yet.”
Cr Sue Marstaellar agreed.
“While I would like to see it extended, I do have concern that people felt the only way to respond about the service was through the survey,” she said.
Cr Trevor Tobias was the only councillor to speak in favour of extending the kerb-side collection service.
He said council has already extended the service to Upper Plenty and has received positive feedback.
“Unfortunately when we put out any survey or have public displays we are generally left with a poor response,” he said.
Cr Melbourne put forward a motion to defer kerb-side collection in Tallarook until council could reassess the situation at a strategy meeting.
He said he was disappointed to see the confusing map attached to the survey.
“I can’t understand the map myself,” he admitted.
“I think we need to know where those respondents came from.”Council voted to defer the issue until it could be dealt with in a strategy meeting.
