City cans yearly verge collection

The City of Albany will no longer provide an annual kerbside bulk waste collection service after councillors voted against staff recommendations on Tuesday night.

Bulk waste collection services will run every two years as of next year, with the City set to investigate other means to minimise waste.

Councillor Anthony Moir introduced the alternative motion, which was previously voted down at a committee meeting earlier this month. However, with Crs Ray Hammond and Emma Doughty changing their vote and Cr Paul Terry present, the alternative motion was carried 8-5.

“The time has come to make proactive choices,” Cr Moir said.

In Cr Moir’s motion reason-ing, he stated kerbside collection was a costly service which only 45 per cent of Albany residents used.

“By adopting a biennial service, there will be an overall cost saving to the City of Albany and will provide theopportunity for City staff to explore a more sustainable approach to the long term,” he said.

During discussion at this month’s committee meeting on the matter, some councillors were concerned about the visual amenity of bulk waste on verges.

Cr Alison Goode voted against the motion and said kerbside collection was a vital service which residents valued.

Cr Goode also cited the city officers’ recommendation which recommended to keep the annual service as it was cost-effective and enabled the City to recycle most waste.