Waste keeps on piling up

Rockingham City Council has reported 2011 as one of its ‘‘heaviest’’ bulk rubbish collections, and contractors are struggling to collect the waste in the allotted time frame.

Mayor Barry Sammels has also denied that council officers questioned residents about waste, after some residents said officers had approached them about the type and volume of waste on their verges.

But he said some residents ‘‘have been reminded of the requirements of the bulk waste collection’’.

Mr Sammels said most bulk waste was not conforming to council limits.

‘‘The size of many waste piles in this collection has far exceeded the size limits of 2m high by 2m wide, the waste is non-conforming, and officers are having to return to areas that have been completed,’’ he said

‘‘We have never seen the participation rate up this high before. This collection has seen an unprecedented amount of waste being put out.

‘‘I urge people to check their piles of bulk rubbish are compliant with requirements for size and content.’’

Residents in Baldivis, whose scheduled collection was set for the week beginning August 8, were still waiting to have waste collected on Friday, September 2.

The Sound Telegraph also received reports from Baldivis of extra waste turning up among people’s own collections.

The mayor confirmed that there had been a delay with collections.

‘‘This is the heaviest collection on record and D&M Waste Services are working hard to catch up on scheduled bulk waste collections,’’ he said.

‘‘As a result of the unprecedented volume of waste, we are currently about twoweeks behind schedule.’’

Mr Sammels said the waste contractors were expected to have completed Golden Bay by September 2 and would then resume collections in Baldivis.

‘‘We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the delay and thank residents for their patience.’’

He reminded ratepayers that the council issues free tip passes in rates notices each year, so people didn’t have to wait for kerbside collections.