BULKY waste kerbside collections remain on the table despite Orange City Council flagging its intention not to reintroduce them, with some councillors determined to reverse the decision.
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Councillors called for a report in December to look at the service again after it was withdrawn in 2015.
At the moment, residents have to pay $212.50 for an on-demand collection, which is proposed to rise to $216.35 in July.
But after consultation for the community strategic plan, which included public support for the idea, as well as a cut to tip fees to reduce illegal dumping, council staff did not include bulky waste.
Staff argued bulky waste services had been poorly utilised, with average usage rates fluctuating between 5 and 17 per cent, and some residents did not comply with the advertised collection period and continued to leave waste at the kerb past the collection date.
There were 52 complaints across 2014 and 2015.
“Imposing the cost of a service across the entire rate base which has poor uptake was not deemed equitable,” the report to councillors said.
Staff said the rate impact would likely be above the $7 originally quoted because JR Richards and Sons would need to acquire additional resources not factored into the current contract.
However councillor Sam Romano said the issue was not dead.
“[Staff opposition] is more to do with the problems, but it’s a matter of education,” he said.
“If it’s brought back, which I hope it is, residents must take note of when the collection date is due.”
Cr Romano said he would be happy to pay the extra rates if it meant the elderly and less mobile could access the service.
Mayor Reg Kidd said councillors would meet to discuss the existing contract and ideas to solve the issue.
He also believed bulky waste needed to be considered, particularly for items like mattresses.
“A lot of people don’t have a ute or a trailer and some might find the cost prohibitive,” he said.
A Central Western Daily survey showed 97 per cent of respondents supported a bulky waste service.
Ninety-two per cent believed the service would cut the rate of illegal dumping.
To have your say on bulky waste services, visit https://yoursay.orange.nsw.gov.au/budget-2018 or email council@orange.nsw.gov.au by June 12.