13 July 2016

Green bins on way, starting in Weston Creek, Kambah

| Charlotte
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green bins

The ACT Government will roll out green bins for garden waste across Canberra in coming years starting with a pilot program in Weston Creek and Kambah to be funded in the 2016/17 ACT Budget and commence first quarter of 2017.

The cost of the pilot and rollout across the two regions will be $1.715 million over two financial years.

Households will be able to opt in to the service for a one-off, cost-recovery deposit of around $50, with bins collected every fortnight. Pensioners and concession card holders will receive their bin without providing a deposit. Apartment residents and other households who do not need the service or would prefer not to participate can opt out.

The Canberra Liberals are still formulating their policy on this issue ahead of the October ACT election, but in the run-up to the last poll, in 2012, they were committed to providing all Canberrans with free garden waste bins.

ACT Minister for Transport and Municipal Services Meegan Fitzharris, who has advocated for green bins since joining the Assembly, said the pilot would be evaluated after 12 months to test the program before the next stage of the rollout.

“Garden waste collected from the kerb will be processed at existing facilities and we will tender for this service so the pilot program in Weston Creek and Kambah can be up and running quickly in 2017,” Ms Fitzharris said.

“The mulch prepared from waste will be available through commercial providers, and the opt-in cost recovery deposit for the bin will ensure that only households who want a bin, will get one.”

Ms Fitzharris said the government chose Weston Creek and Kambah because they were mature suburbs with established gardens and were broadly representative of the housing profile of the city, and provided a good sample size of residents.

The areas both fall within the new ACT Legislative Assembly electorate of Murrumbidgee, the only electorate in which Labor has no sitting member candidates, while the Liberals have two in Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson and his colleague Giulia Jones. Former Greens MLA Caroline Le Couteur is also running in Murrumbidgee.

Ms Fitzharris said a phased rollout was the best way to deliver a major new recycling project, and mirrored the process for the introduction of recycling bins to the territory in the 1990s.

The pilot would help the government determine how many waste trucks would be required for a city-wide rollout, the impact the program would have on existing waste facilities and the required regularity of pickups.

Green bins would help to divert some of the 5,000 tonnes of garden waste that is currently going to landfill each year, the Minister said.

The bins would be for garden refuse only, not household compost such as food scraps.

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Why does almost everything new the ACT Government thinks of has to be called “smart”?
http://www.tams.act.gov.au/recycling-and-waste/smart-bin
These new Big Belly Solar bins remind me of the future hope that “A Better Place” conveyed and look what happened to that?
Anyone know how much they cost? The company that sells them operates from a serviced office in a Brisbane suburb.
Also, specialised equipment will have to be used to empty the 600 litre capacity self-compacting bins so who is going to provide that service and what will the cost be?
If TAMS is looking for innovative ways to reduce waste then the recent strike (not reported as resolved yet either) by the SUEZ contractors may have provided an idea or two.
My next recycle bin collection is scheduled for next Tuesday so that will be 4 weeks after the last one.
I fill a recycle bin every two weeks so, being unable to take the waste to one of the temporary disposal places myself, I got a 1 metre length of wood about 50mm x 50mm and rammed the waste down.
The resultant compaction has left me with about 25% of airspace which will be totally adequate for the rest of the waste that will have to go in the bin up until next Tuesday.
So, if everyone did this, Canberra could halve the number of waste bin collections required overnight which would substantially reduce ratepayers costs.
And if all this new technology is the go, why can’t sensors be installed in our bins so that they are only collected when they are full and we are billed accordingly on a user pays basis?
Now, that is something smart.

dungfungus said :

MERC600 said :

pink little birdie said :

Rollersk8r said :

Frustrated said :

rommeldog56 said :

Masquara said :

Mordd said :

Apparently The Green has not supported this decision 100% either so are there cracks in the coalition?

Got anything to back that allegation up with? Or just the usual green bashing?

Also correction to the article, people not needing the bin don’t have to opt-out, as you must opt-in to get one, by default everyone is opted-out so if you don’t want one, just do nothing, no need to opt-out.

You made a similar unfounded allegation about the Liberals on this blog on 12th November 2009, namely “It seems someone in the local branch is worried about their potential performance in Eden-Monaro”.
Appears to be the usual Liberal bashing to me but I can’t back that up.
Well, at least we all know now where your political allegiances are.

Wow, that’s what you choose to attack me with? I am surprised and dissapointed dung, you can do better than that. That was my 1st attempt at ever writing an article for RA, and it turns out the local branch were rightly worried about their performance in Eden Monaro at that election as they lost the seat didn’t they. Hardly an unfounded allegation, more an educated guess if anything, and not really that controversial considering the political climate at the time.

As for your comment, educated guess as well or something more concrete? Greens have always supported green waste recycling and government provided services that the community needs, so why do you think that the Greens were not 100% supportive of this? Can you answer my question instead of deflecting this time please?

Also out of all the comments I have made on here, my Green credentials or who I support are hardly secret, I have always made quite plain I support the Greens, as you have always made quite plain that you don’t. Still if you wanted to green-bash me, I know I have made way better comments on here you could pick out of context than the one you chose above that would have made your point way more effectively. I guess you are just having an off week.

Gee, the words “you can do better than that….” has been included in another post bagging me.
I sense a strategy of organised responses here. Who is giving you instructions?

I only saw that after posting my comment. You suspect a conspiracy? Think I must know postalgeek? I confess I do not know them. Pretty common phrase though, but I guess you answer my question, you prefer to continue to deflect than answer me why you think the Greens don’t support this, i guess im not surprised.

This time it took 3 days for you to receive further instructions?

Oh you have me all figured out, it has nothing to do with the fact there have been a lot of new articles recently im commenting on, and this one dropped off the “most commented” list pretty quickly, and I temporarily forgot about it before remembering your comment.

Im guessing at this point you will never answer my original question though, so in true mythbusters style im going to call this one “Busted” and move on.

What about your “hardly an unfounded allegation”?

devils_advocate said :

Does no one care about the local businesses that are going to suffer or go to the wall because of this?
Apparently the ACT government did not even consult with existing green waste collectors before deciding to take away their livlihood.
Along with now promising to slow down the annual increases in our rates, this is a Labor council that will do anything to hang onto power, even if it means destroying peoples livelihoods by replacing their business with a government service.
Contempt. Arrogance. Mismanagement.
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/waste-hauler-devastated-by-decision-to-introduce-green-waste-bin-after-act-government-told-him-it-was-unlikely-to-happen-20160601-gp8zk9.html

And why will they hang on to power, because it’s a popular decsion. Welcome to democracy.

MERC600 said :

pink little birdie said :

Rollersk8r said :

Frustrated said :

rommeldog56 said :

Masquara said :

Mordd said :

Apparently The Green has not supported this decision 100% either so are there cracks in the coalition?

Got anything to back that allegation up with? Or just the usual green bashing?

Also correction to the article, people not needing the bin don’t have to opt-out, as you must opt-in to get one, by default everyone is opted-out so if you don’t want one, just do nothing, no need to opt-out.

You made a similar unfounded allegation about the Liberals on this blog on 12th November 2009, namely “It seems someone in the local branch is worried about their potential performance in Eden-Monaro”.
Appears to be the usual Liberal bashing to me but I can’t back that up.
Well, at least we all know now where your political allegiances are.

Wow, that’s what you choose to attack me with? I am surprised and dissapointed dung, you can do better than that. That was my 1st attempt at ever writing an article for RA, and it turns out the local branch were rightly worried about their performance in Eden Monaro at that election as they lost the seat didn’t they. Hardly an unfounded allegation, more an educated guess if anything, and not really that controversial considering the political climate at the time.

As for your comment, educated guess as well or something more concrete? Greens have always supported green waste recycling and government provided services that the community needs, so why do you think that the Greens were not 100% supportive of this? Can you answer my question instead of deflecting this time please?

Also out of all the comments I have made on here, my Green credentials or who I support are hardly secret, I have always made quite plain I support the Greens, as you have always made quite plain that you don’t. Still if you wanted to green-bash me, I know I have made way better comments on here you could pick out of context than the one you chose above that would have made your point way more effectively. I guess you are just having an off week.

Gee, the words “you can do better than that….” has been included in another post bagging me.
I sense a strategy of organised responses here. Who is giving you instructions?

I only saw that after posting my comment. You suspect a conspiracy? Think I must know postalgeek? I confess I do not know them. Pretty common phrase though, but I guess you answer my question, you prefer to continue to deflect than answer me why you think the Greens don’t support this, i guess im not surprised.

This time it took 3 days for you to receive further instructions?

Oh you have me all figured out, it has nothing to do with the fact there have been a lot of new articles recently im commenting on, and this one dropped off the “most commented” list pretty quickly, and I temporarily forgot about it before remembering your comment.

Im guessing at this point you will never answer my original question though, so in true mythbusters style im going to call this one “Busted” and move on.

rommeldog56 said :

devils_advocate said :

Does no one care about the local businesses that are going to suffer or go to the wall because of this?
Apparently the ACT government did not even consult with existing green waste collectors before deciding to take away their livlihood.
Along with now promising to slow down the annual increases in our rates, this is a Labor council that will do anything to hang onto power, even if it means destroying peoples livelihoods by replacing their business with a government service.
Contempt. Arrogance. Mismanagement.
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/waste-hauler-devastated-by-decision-to-introduce-green-waste-bin-after-act-government-told-him-it-was-unlikely-to-happen-20160601-gp8zk9.html

If it only costs $50 to buy into the ACt Gov’t Green Bin collections, there will certainly be a thining out of the higher cost private sector providers.

But thats pretty consistent with other ACT labor/Greens Gov’t decisions that affect small local businesses eg. (i) letting of grass cutting contract to a Melbourne company at the expense of incumbent local contractors, (ii) apparent boxing out of local firms/contractors from the Light Rail construction unless they are unionised/cleared by the Unions.

So, this ACT Labor/Greens Govt has form in that regard.

The Melbourne company that has the grass cutting contract is chaired by a bloke called John Brumby.
I think he was a well known AFL player or something like that.

devils_advocate said :

Does no one care about the local businesses that are going to suffer or go to the wall because of this?
Apparently the ACT government did not even consult with existing green waste collectors before deciding to take away their livlihood.
Along with now promising to slow down the annual increases in our rates, this is a Labor council that will do anything to hang onto power, even if it means destroying peoples livelihoods by replacing their business with a government service.
Contempt. Arrogance. Mismanagement.
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/waste-hauler-devastated-by-decision-to-introduce-green-waste-bin-after-act-government-told-him-it-was-unlikely-to-happen-20160601-gp8zk9.html

If it only costs $50 to buy into the ACt Gov’t Green Bin collections, there will certainly be a thining out of the higher cost private sector providers.

But thats pretty consistent with other ACT labor/Greens Gov’t decisions that affect small local businesses eg. (i) letting of grass cutting contract to a Melbourne company at the expense of incumbent local contractors, (ii) apparent boxing out of local firms/contractors from the Light Rail construction unless they are unionised/cleared by the Unions.

So, this ACT Labor/Greens Govt has form in that regard.

devils_advocate said :

Does no one care about the local businesses that are going to suffer or go to the wall because of this?
Apparently the ACT government did not even consult with existing green waste collectors before deciding to take away their livlihood.
Along with now promising to slow down the annual increases in our rates, this is a Labor council that will do anything to hang onto power, even if it means destroying peoples livelihoods by replacing their business with a government service.
Contempt. Arrogance. Mismanagement.
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/waste-hauler-devastated-by-decision-to-introduce-green-waste-bin-after-act-government-told-him-it-was-unlikely-to-happen-20160601-gp8zk9.html

Mmmmm.
The ACT government shares its logo with The Green Shed:
http://www.tams.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/461625/Bulky-Waste-Concession-form.pdf
The Green Shed operates from 103/222 City Walk Canberra along with Budget Bins (ACT & NSW), Canberra Rubbish Removals and a dozen other associated businesses.
The ACT Labor Party operates from 14/222 City Walk Canberra.
Cosy.

Does no one care about the local businesses that are going to suffer or go to the wall because of this?
Apparently the ACT government did not even consult with existing green waste collectors before deciding to take away their livlihood.
Along with now promising to slow down the annual increases in our rates, this is a Labor council that will do anything to hang onto power, even if it means destroying peoples livelihoods by replacing their business with a government service.
Contempt. Arrogance. Mismanagement.
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/waste-hauler-devastated-by-decision-to-introduce-green-waste-bin-after-act-government-told-him-it-was-unlikely-to-happen-20160601-gp8zk9.html

I’m conflicted about this.

It has green in the name so it makes the Regressives whinge, which is a good thing. They’re happy too, that they can whinge about progress, so that’s called a win-win.

It’s a good thing to collect green waste and create compost and mulch out of it if you don’t have the capacity to do it yourself rather than dumping it in landfill.

It’s easily affordable, which is a good thing. I have a small ecological footprint and don’t waste resources so I’m sponsoring the land wastrels in the older suburbs so while this is a not-so-good-thing, I’m happy with my life and accept that sometimes one needs to give as well as take.

On balance, two thumbs up from me.

devils_advocate11:08 am 01 Jun 16

JC said :

People who want a green waste service can already go out an pay for one, from a number of different operators. If the private market is functioning properly then there’s no case for government intervention, especially from a government who can’t fulfil the responsibilities that a government should fulfil.

Couldn’t agree more. The $50 deposit covers the bin, not the ongoing service. There is nothing ‘opt in’ about this at all – just like with the Monorail, we will pay for it whether we like it or not, and pay through the nose. Most Canberra blocks these days are tiny, less than 500m, and built out to the building setbacks (i.e. mostly house, no garden). Then there are people in apartments. But the ongoing cost of the ‘service’ will be recovered from everyone. Basically it is a wealth transfer from apartment, townhouse and small-block dwellers, to the wealthy who can afford homes on big blocks of land with gardens. That is reprehensible. And that is speaking as someone who has a very large block of land with a very low plot ratio. I’m happy to take my cuttings to the tip at a very modest cost to myself.
And in any case it is a massive overcharge. The incremental cost of taking a full TRAILER of green waste to the tip is a few dollars. The government is not offering a more efficient service and is crowding out private investment.

pink little birdie said :

Rollersk8r said :

Frustrated said :

rommeldog56 said :

Masquara said :

Mordd said :

Apparently The Green has not supported this decision 100% either so are there cracks in the coalition?

Got anything to back that allegation up with? Or just the usual green bashing?

Also correction to the article, people not needing the bin don’t have to opt-out, as you must opt-in to get one, by default everyone is opted-out so if you don’t want one, just do nothing, no need to opt-out.

You made a similar unfounded allegation about the Liberals on this blog on 12th November 2009, namely “It seems someone in the local branch is worried about their potential performance in Eden-Monaro”.
Appears to be the usual Liberal bashing to me but I can’t back that up.
Well, at least we all know now where your political allegiances are.

Wow, that’s what you choose to attack me with? I am surprised and dissapointed dung, you can do better than that. That was my 1st attempt at ever writing an article for RA, and it turns out the local branch were rightly worried about their performance in Eden Monaro at that election as they lost the seat didn’t they. Hardly an unfounded allegation, more an educated guess if anything, and not really that controversial considering the political climate at the time.

As for your comment, educated guess as well or something more concrete? Greens have always supported green waste recycling and government provided services that the community needs, so why do you think that the Greens were not 100% supportive of this? Can you answer my question instead of deflecting this time please?

Also out of all the comments I have made on here, my Green credentials or who I support are hardly secret, I have always made quite plain I support the Greens, as you have always made quite plain that you don’t. Still if you wanted to green-bash me, I know I have made way better comments on here you could pick out of context than the one you chose above that would have made your point way more effectively. I guess you are just having an off week.

Gee, the words “you can do better than that….” has been included in another post bagging me.
I sense a strategy of organised responses here. Who is giving you instructions?

I only saw that after posting my comment. You suspect a conspiracy? Think I must know postalgeek? I confess I do not know them. Pretty common phrase though, but I guess you answer my question, you prefer to continue to deflect than answer me why you think the Greens don’t support this, i guess im not surprised.

This time it took 3 days for you to receive further instructions?

Rollersk8r said :

Frustrated said :

rommeldog56 said :

Masquara said :

Mordd said :

Apparently The Green has not supported this decision 100% either so are there cracks in the coalition?

Got anything to back that allegation up with? Or just the usual green bashing?

Also correction to the article, people not needing the bin don’t have to opt-out, as you must opt-in to get one, by default everyone is opted-out so if you don’t want one, just do nothing, no need to opt-out.

You made a similar unfounded allegation about the Liberals on this blog on 12th November 2009, namely “It seems someone in the local branch is worried about their potential performance in Eden-Monaro”.
Appears to be the usual Liberal bashing to me but I can’t back that up.
Well, at least we all know now where your political allegiances are.

Wow, that’s what you choose to attack me with? I am surprised and dissapointed dung, you can do better than that. That was my 1st attempt at ever writing an article for RA, and it turns out the local branch were rightly worried about their performance in Eden Monaro at that election as they lost the seat didn’t they. Hardly an unfounded allegation, more an educated guess if anything, and not really that controversial considering the political climate at the time.

As for your comment, educated guess as well or something more concrete? Greens have always supported green waste recycling and government provided services that the community needs, so why do you think that the Greens were not 100% supportive of this? Can you answer my question instead of deflecting this time please?

Also out of all the comments I have made on here, my Green credentials or who I support are hardly secret, I have always made quite plain I support the Greens, as you have always made quite plain that you don’t. Still if you wanted to green-bash me, I know I have made way better comments on here you could pick out of context than the one you chose above that would have made your point way more effectively. I guess you are just having an off week.

Gee, the words “you can do better than that….” has been included in another post bagging me.
I sense a strategy of organised responses here. Who is giving you instructions?

I only saw that after posting my comment. You suspect a conspiracy? Think I must know postalgeek? I confess I do not know them. Pretty common phrase though, but I guess you answer my question, you prefer to continue to deflect than answer me why you think the Greens don’t support this, i guess im not surprised.

Frustrated said :

rommeldog56 said :

Masquara said :

Mordd said :

Apparently The Green has not supported this decision 100% either so are there cracks in the coalition?

Got anything to back that allegation up with? Or just the usual green bashing?

Also correction to the article, people not needing the bin don’t have to opt-out, as you must opt-in to get one, by default everyone is opted-out so if you don’t want one, just do nothing, no need to opt-out.

You made a similar unfounded allegation about the Liberals on this blog on 12th November 2009, namely “It seems someone in the local branch is worried about their potential performance in Eden-Monaro”.
Appears to be the usual Liberal bashing to me but I can’t back that up.
Well, at least we all know now where your political allegiances are.

Wow, that’s what you choose to attack me with? I am surprised and dissapointed dung, you can do better than that. That was my 1st attempt at ever writing an article for RA, and it turns out the local branch were rightly worried about their performance in Eden Monaro at that election as they lost the seat didn’t they. Hardly an unfounded allegation, more an educated guess if anything, and not really that controversial considering the political climate at the time.

As for your comment, educated guess as well or something more concrete? Greens have always supported green waste recycling and government provided services that the community needs, so why do you think that the Greens were not 100% supportive of this? Can you answer my question instead of deflecting this time please?

Also out of all the comments I have made on here, my Green credentials or who I support are hardly secret, I have always made quite plain I support the Greens, as you have always made quite plain that you don’t. Still if you wanted to green-bash me, I know I have made way better comments on here you could pick out of context than the one you chose above that would have made your point way more effectively. I guess you are just having an off week.

Gee, the words “you can do better than that….” has been included in another post bagging me.
I sense a strategy of organised responses here. Who is giving you instructions?

bobster said :

rosscoact said :

It’ll mainly be older suburbs needing this service as new areas have such big houses and small blocks,you could only fit a couple of potplants in the yard. Imagine if only a handful of people per suburb took up the offer. That would not be cost effective. I guess the trial will prove the workability of the service, hopefully.

I live in a newer suburb and, on occasion, my yard is like a jungle. We don’t have a huge amount of lawn but we do have a lot of trees (with fruit) and bushes. Right now there are so many leaves! They’re never ending, I could see a use for a green waste bin.

So far, leaves have not been a problem for me; they keep blowing away. I have tried to spread some as mulch and they blow away down the street. They are likely a problem for someone else though, as they won’t stay home. Most of the leaves are removed from the street over several days work by a couple of workers, a tip truck and a bob cat. They gave up sending the street sweeper for the big leaf pickup, as the leaves were too much for it.

rosscoact said :

It’ll mainly be older suburbs needing this service as new areas have such big houses and small blocks,you could only fit a couple of potplants in the yard. Imagine if only a handful of people per suburb took up the offer. That would not be cost effective. I guess the trial will prove the workability of the service, hopefully.

I live in a newer suburb and, on occasion, my yard is like a jungle. We don’t have a huge amount of lawn but we do have a lot of trees (with fruit) and bushes. Right now there are so many leaves! They’re never ending, I could see a use for a green waste bin.

HiddenDragon4:42 pm 29 May 16

Opt-in, with “a one-off, cost-recovery deposit of around $50” seems sensible and reasonable, and should also help to minimise problems with the bins being used for other than green garden waste – which would surely be more likely if the bins were issued more widely.

Aside from the immediate practical benefits to households which opt-in, this new service should also reduce the number of private vehicle trips to the recycling centres (Mugga Lane won’t be quite the same without all that garden debris garnish falling off the back of trailers…) and might encourage more people to clear autumn leaves from the street gutters:

http://www.environment.act.gov.au/water/act-basin-priority-project/about-the-issues/stormwater-pollution/keep-the-leaves-out-of-the-gutter

There is the argument that private sector services are already available, but if we followed the rule of thumb that “if it’s in the Yellow Pages, the (ACT) Government shouldn’t do it”, quite a few existing government services would be cut.

Having said all of that, the timing and locations of the “trials” look like another sign that the private polling is not encouraging.

rommeldog56 said :

Masquara said :

Mordd said :

Apparently The Green has not supported this decision 100% either so are there cracks in the coalition?

Got anything to back that allegation up with? Or just the usual green bashing?

Also correction to the article, people not needing the bin don’t have to opt-out, as you must opt-in to get one, by default everyone is opted-out so if you don’t want one, just do nothing, no need to opt-out.

You made a similar unfounded allegation about the Liberals on this blog on 12th November 2009, namely “It seems someone in the local branch is worried about their potential performance in Eden-Monaro”.
Appears to be the usual Liberal bashing to me but I can’t back that up.
Well, at least we all know now where your political allegiances are.

Wow, that’s what you choose to attack me with? I am surprised and dissapointed dung, you can do better than that. That was my 1st attempt at ever writing an article for RA, and it turns out the local branch were rightly worried about their performance in Eden Monaro at that election as they lost the seat didn’t they. Hardly an unfounded allegation, more an educated guess if anything, and not really that controversial considering the political climate at the time.

As for your comment, educated guess as well or something more concrete? Greens have always supported green waste recycling and government provided services that the community needs, so why do you think that the Greens were not 100% supportive of this? Can you answer my question instead of deflecting this time please?

Also out of all the comments I have made on here, my Green credentials or who I support are hardly secret, I have always made quite plain I support the Greens, as you have always made quite plain that you don’t. Still if you wanted to green-bash me, I know I have made way better comments on here you could pick out of context than the one you chose above that would have made your point way more effectively. I guess you are just having an off week.

JC said :

People who want a green waste service can already go out an pay for one, from a number of different operators. If the private market is functioning properly then there’s no case for government intervention, especially from a government who can’t fulfil the responsibilities that a government should fulfil.

The problem with disposing of green waste in trash packs is that other waste contaminates it so it all ends up in landfill anyhow.
The green bin can potentially divert thousands of tonnes of organic waste that shouldn’t go to landfill to be processed into compost.
The problem I see is where is this extra green waste going to be processed? The facility at Mugga Lane has tripled in size in recent years and it is already creating odours that drift into the residential areas to the west and south.
There are other facilities around Canberra that could be used and I would like further details from the Minister as to how the Mugga Lane facility can be circumvented.

rommeldog56 said :

Masquara said :

Mordd said :

Apparently The Green has not supported this decision 100% either so are there cracks in the coalition?

Got anything to back that allegation up with? Or just the usual green bashing?

Also correction to the article, people not needing the bin don’t have to opt-out, as you must opt-in to get one, by default everyone is opted-out so if you don’t want one, just do nothing, no need to opt-out.

You made a similar unfounded allegation about the Liberals on this blog on 12th November 2009, namely “It seems someone in the local branch is worried about their potential performance in Eden-Monaro”.
Appears to be the usual Liberal bashing to me but I can’t back that up.
Well, at least we all know now where your political allegiances are.

That’s a pretty standard tu quoque, Dung. You can do better than that.

wildturkeycanoe8:40 am 29 May 16

It’ll mainly be older suburbs needing this service as new areas have such big houses and small blocks,you could only fit a couple of potplants in the yard. Imagine if only a handful of people per suburb took up the offer. That would not be cost effective. I guess the trial will prove the workability of the service, hopefully.

Probably not my preferred option, but better than nothing. I watch my octogenarian neighbour make his regular trip to mugga way with his bundle of clippings and trimmings and see a scheme designed for him.

I try very hard to make sure nothing leaves the block, but on occasions take a trailer load of prunings over to Corkhills. I will need to think long and hard before opting in or not.

People who want a green waste service can already go out an pay for one, from a number of different operators. If the private market is functioning properly then there’s no case for government intervention, especially from a government who can’t fulfil the responsibilities that a government should fulfil.

Masquara said :

Mordd said :

Apparently The Green has not supported this decision 100% either so are there cracks in the coalition?

Got anything to back that allegation up with? Or just the usual green bashing?

Also correction to the article, people not needing the bin don’t have to opt-out, as you must opt-in to get one, by default everyone is opted-out so if you don’t want one, just do nothing, no need to opt-out.

You made a similar unfounded allegation about the Liberals on this blog on 12th November 2009, namely “It seems someone in the local branch is worried about their potential performance in Eden-Monaro”.
Appears to be the usual Liberal bashing to me but I can’t back that up.
Well, at least we all know now where your political allegiances are.

Bennop said :

Not something I have ever wanted or needed. I compost.

+1

Queanbeyanite3:30 pm 28 May 16

We’ve had them in Queanbeyan for years…

Mordd said :

Apparently The Green has not supported this decision 100% either so are there cracks in the coalition?

Got anything to back that allegation up with? Or just the usual green bashing?

Also correction to the article, people not needing the bin don’t have to opt-out, as you must opt-in to get one, by default everyone is opted-out so if you don’t want one, just do nothing, no need to opt-out.

crackerpants1:46 pm 28 May 16

Bennop said :

Not something I have ever wanted or needed. I compost.

I compost. I have three big black bins on the go at any one time, plus two more “unofficial” compost piles where I “cook” the weeds and light prunings down before adding them to the mix. Heavy prunings, all rose clippings and some weeds go in the trashpack. There are 5 of us (plus pets) producing compostible waste, we have a big garden, and some things are not appropriate for composting.

This is a welcome development (my cynicism notwithstanding – who do they think they’re kidding?), and $50 (per year?) is a lot less than we pay for our trashpack service. Fascinating though that they’re chosen Weston Creek as being “representative” of Canberra houses/gardens. The way development in Canberra is going, I’d saying our being “representative” will be short-lived. We do represent the long-neglected southside though…

Charlotte, is it opt out, or opt in? It can’t be both 🙂

Mordd said :

The Good : Grren bins are finally here.

The Bad : The $50 “deposit” !

Why ??

The Ugly : After years and years of stonewalling, finally implementing – in an election year. Its not that I’m cynical mind you……

Overall : Great.

An obvious attempt to neutralise the Libs – same with suddenly seeing the light re Ashley Drive

The Good : Grren bins are finally here.

The Bad : The $50 “deposit” ! Why ??

The Ugly : After years and years of stonewalling, finally implementing – in an election year. Its not that I’m cynical mind you……

Overall : Great.

gooterz said :

Bennop said :

Not something I have ever wanted or needed. I compost.

Just wait for the compost tax to force you to use the green bin

🙂 They haven’t forced me to invent ways to fill my bin up every week, like most people find ways to do and no bin tax yet…wait, that’s included in rates. I think of it as the anti-dumping tax. If people only paid for collection of the rubbish they produced (as some people pay for trash packs now), some would just dump it in the bush rather than pay or adjust their lifestyle. I think of it as a necessary evil for paying for more than I use. Rubbish dumped in the bush is not pretty.

gooterz said :

Bennop said :

Not something I have ever wanted or needed. I compost.

Just wait for the compost tax to force you to use the green bin

As long as the people in apartments that have no gardens and eat out all the time have to pay the “compost tax” I am happy.
I mean most of us already pay for buses we don’t use and soon it will also be for a tram we don’t need or use.

Mordd said :

Well done Meegan Fitzharris who appears to be staking a claim to be the Territory’s next Chief Minister (which I would support).
Apparently The Green has not supported this decision 100% either so are there cracks in the coalition?
If the government can see that green bins are needed why can’t they see that the light rail isn’t?

Weston creek and Kambah is exactly the electoral boundary. They cant see its needed unless you mean the votes?

Also the truck drivers go on strike and a week later they’re back at work and a new rubbish contract goes up for tender?

Bennop said :

Not something I have ever wanted or needed. I compost.

Just wait for the compost tax to force you to use the green bin

Well done Meegan Fitzharris who appears to be staking a claim to be the Territory’s next Chief Minister (which I would support).
Apparently The Green has not supported this decision 100% either so are there cracks in the coalition?
If the government can see that green bins are needed why can’t they see that the light rail isn’t?

Not something I have ever wanted or needed. I compost.

Wow, local Labor is really panicking, hey! Actually doing something people have been asking for for years, AND starting the roll out southside!
Now bring on the hard rubbish collection please – then at least it might feel like we live in a city that has a few decent local council services

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