Cr Whitton said JR Richards had already purchased equipment in preparation for a fortnightly collection, showing the six-month trial of the service was irrelevant.

In a letter to council staff, fellow councillors and the Central Western Daily, Cr Whitton said he was “truly lost for words”.

Cr Whitton said confirmation by council that additional costs would be incurred by ratepayers, if council was to revert to the weekly red bin collection, indicated council was already locked in contractually.

He said his and fellow councillors Glenn Taylor and Kevin Duffy’s objections to the trial had been vindicated.

“We hear JR Richards has bought the gear to do a fortnightly pick-up,” he said.

“They wouldn’t have done that if the contract didn’t have a green light on it.”

Cr Whitton wants mayor John Davis to show councillors the exact terms of the contract.

“Who in council knows the correct information?” he asked.

Cr Whitton said any confusion over the terms of the contract with JR Richards could be clarified if councillors were able to read the contract themselves.

“Red bin collection is the number two topic in the city, right under job losses,” he said.

However, Cr Davis said no contract had been signed with JR Richards.

“The contract won’t be signed until after the outcome of the trial is reported to council in February next year,” he said.

“In February a report to the council meeting made it clear the new contract will result in higher costs [around $23 per year per household] if council continues with weekly collections compared to a fortnightly collection.”

Cr Davis said how JR Richards prepares for a new contract is a matter for them. 

“The resolution of council in February confirmed that council will enter into a contract with JR Richards, and they have begun to gear up for this contract,” he said.

“They know the issue of weekly verses fortnightly red bin collection is up in the air, and that their preparations may have to change.”

Cr Whitton was also unhappy to hear changes at Orange’s recycling centre, resulting in job loses, were made without informing councillors.

“I know JR Richards has autonomy, but council built the recycling centre and is considered a leader in waste management,” he said.

“It is the height of hypocrisy to read about this happening in the local newspaper.”

Cr Taylor said council should look at running its own garbage service and said he too had been left in the dark about the recycling centre changes.

“It sounds like council has been indirectly complicit with job losses in this city,” he said.

Cr Duffy called the red bin trial a Clayton’s trial.

“Councillors need to be given relevant information in order for them to make an informed decisions,” he said.

Cr Davis said at the February meeting the councillors would have read that the building now used to sort recycled waste would be replaced with a recyclables transfer station. 

“This option was put forward as being the most cost-effective service JR Richards could offer for recyclables under this contract, and was adopted by the council,” he said.

tracey.prisk@fairfaxmedia.com.au