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Cobargo community bins misused

Misuse of a community waste service at the Cobargo showground has left local residents feeling frustrated.

Illegally dumped furniture and fencing at the Cobargo showground general waste skips.
Illegally dumped furniture and fencing at the Cobargo showground general waste skips

19 February 2021

Misuse of a community waste service at the Cobargo showground has left local residents feeling frustrated.

Bega Valley Shire Council introduced the service as a temporary response to the closure of the Cobargo Waste Transfer Station, which was extensively damaged by the Black Summer bushfires last year.

Council’s Waste Services Manager, Alan Gundrill said the service exists for people who would have normally relied on the transfer station for waste disposal.

“We responded with the installation of large skip bins at the Cobargo Showground, and clear signage indicating who this service is intended for,” Mr Gundrill said.

“It’s unfortunate and disappointing that some people are misusing this service by dumping large waste items such as furniture and old fencing.

“Obviously these items have no place in a red bin, and we ask that people wrongfully dumping these items consider the residents who rely on this service for the disposal of their general waste.

“We will install additional signage clearly indicating the types of waste that are not acceptable, and the area will be patrolled more regularly to deter any future misuse.”

Mr Gundrill said the showground’s waste collection service is a temporary measure only.

“In place of a skip, we are extending the general waste and recycling collection service to rural properties through bin banks and kerbside collections.

“While the skip service is temporary, it is important to note that it will only be removed when the expanded rural collection service is up and running.

“Additionally, we are developing the Bermagui Waste Transfer Station to be the main waste facility in the shire’s north.

“Councillors have resolved to extend Bermagui Waste Transfer Station opening times to seven days-a-week, and we will implement this change immediately.

“The Bermagui site, and any of our waste transfer stations, are where large items should be taken, but we ask residents to consider reuse before disposing at landfill sites.

“It is frustrating for residents needing a general waste service to find skips overfull with illegally dumped items. It doesn’t look good, and it is unfair,” Mr Gundrill said.

For information on tip opening hours, visit Council’s Website.

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