So despite vehement opposition by many residents the organic bins – and changes to bin pick-up services – will become part of life from mid-2018.

The conflict over the introduction of the food and organic waste (green) bin has rolled on for almost two years.

The war started against the Dubbo City Council (DCC), which originally raised the plan and immediately faced a community outcry.

The DCC vanished in the forced merger and the issue passed to the Administrator Michael Kneipp, who approved the change in July. A contract for the service was signed.

Mr Kneipp defended his position saying it simply came down to the “lowest cost option” for ratepayers and $4.36 million from the NSW Government for a new Dubbo recycling plant.

Opposition did not waver during his time in office but residents could not stop the change by lobbying councillors. There weren’t any.

Under the resulting 10-year contract, the organics bin will be collected weekly and recycling and general waste bins will be picked up on alternating weeks. Anyone wanting a weekly general waste collection will have to pay an extra $40.

New mayor Ben Shields campaigned against the bin earlier this year and over 1500 residents signed a petition.

As a candidate in the September Dubbo Regional Council elections, he ran a “Ban the Bin” campaign saying the decision should have been made by elected representatives and not Mr Kneipp. 

Since the election, DRC staff have been examining the third bin contract. There is no way out of it.

Now Cr Shields says he is looking at having the contract changed so general waste would be collected weekly.

Throughout the war part of the anger has been about having to pay more for a service you already get.

Cr Shields says his election position hasn’t changed. His hands may well be tied. But, given an expectation (even if his campaign statements were misinterpreted) that he would do something, he will take some flak for not stopping the bin.

Narromine, which is getting organic bins, has apparently worked out a way to make it cost neutral to residents. Perhaps the DRC should follow the lead.