By Emily-Rose Toohey
After officially passing the now highly contested kerbside waste expansion in February, council has committed to a review of the service over the next three months.
The review was passed at last Wednesday’s council meeting in Stanthorpe, with a full report of the information collected to be presented at council in June.
According to the provided report outlined at last week’s council meeting, this bin expansion review will consider the financial viability of waste management, community requests and correspondence received regarding the issue, a written survey to landowners within the designated area, and a phone survey to a selected number of landowners within the area.
In terms of council’s business with the bin service Cleanaway, the review will also include contractual discussions with the contractor and consider the usage of unsupervised bin compounds.
Cr Ross Bartley thanked staff involved with creating the report outlining the review, and said that after receiving correspondence from concerned locals, the review proves that council are listening.
“Whichever way it goes, we are reviewing it as a council and I’m glad to see that we’re in touch with the people and will listen to what they’ve got to say,” Cr Bartley said.
Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) Mayor Vic Pennisi once again claimed the community discontent regarding the bins as his issue to bear.
“I’m very happy to own this issue and to deal with those unhappy people out there,” Cr Pennisi said.
Other councillors at the meeting contributed towards the discussion, including Cr Stephen Tancred, who said he would like councillors to look over the survey before it was released to landholders within the expansion area.
“It’s important because we’ll be the ones to make a decision from the results,” Cr Tancred said.
Cr Jo McNally said that the finalised review should be presented in June before any budget discussions are made.
“It would make sense for it to happen beforehand,” Cr McNally said.
Similarly, SDRC CEO Dave Burges said that council can make a provision in the budget.
“We can also make any amendments to it regarding the bins if necessary,” Mr Burges said.
The review motion was moved by Cr Cameron Gow and seconded by Cr Sheryl Windle.
