The proposal for a food and garden bin to be introduced in Dubbo has moved forward to the tender stage.
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None of the public spoke on the issue when it went before Western Plains Regional Council Wednesday night. The gallery, which was expected to contain a large number of people showing their stance against the issue, was also noticeably sparse.
Council will now proceed to call for tender on the proposed Dubbo Regional Organics Processing Plant, and for the collection of a three bin service.
“Dubbo in 2016 is saying we’re a sophisticated, smart, modern city. We’ve got the internet, we’ve got great cultural advantages, we’ve got a prime tourism advantage, we’ve got a university campus; Then we’ve got a second rate recycling system which i don’t think is as good for the image of Dubbo or the Western Plains,” Mr Kneipp said.
“The world as a whole has got to look at what it does with waste.”
Dubbo was the only town in the seven Evocities which didn’t have some form of organics recycling, Mr Kneipp said.
While he acknowledged people often did not like change, Mr Kneipp said the survey results from the bin trial highlighted the public had a positive response after using the three bin system.
A post-trial survey found 76 per cent supported, or at least did not oppose, the introduction of an organics collection service.
Mr Kneipp said he also couldn’t turn his back on the $4 million the NSW government had allocated to the project.
“We’re the envy of a lot of other councils because most other councils have scored between $1 and $1.5 million. If we do not proceed with that project than that $4 million-plus will be returned to the EPA (Environmental Protection Authority) and if council in the future decides to proceed with the project I don’t think they would look very favourable upon their request for funding to be returned.”
As part of the pricing options, council will look at developing a pensioner rebate for the waste charge, as well as the possibility of residents being able to opt in for their general waste to be collected weekly instead of fortnightly.
Council’s manager civil infrastructure and solid waste Steve Clayton said with the call for tenders there was a significant opportunity to put many different pricing options forward, including the future servicing of Wellington and Geurie.