Backflip to end shop tip

By Tania Martin
EMERALD’S community opportunity shop has applauded a recent council back flip over hard waste collections.
Op shop volunteers told the Mail in February that the cessation of the council’s hard waste collection had led to people dumping unwanted rubbish at the shop.
But the Shire of Cardinia has now announced it will resume its hard waste collection.
The decision comes less than 12 months after the hard rubbish collection was canned because it made nature strips look messy. But the council has responded to pressure from residents to reinstate the service.
Plans were announced at a recent council meeting that a twice-yearly hard and bundled green waste kerbside service would be resumed.
This latest move replaces the short-lived tip voucher system and fulfils the shire’s promise to review the situation.
Magda Lane of the Emerald community op shop says the reinstatement of the collection service was a step in the right direction.
She said op shop volunteers had been working overtime trying to sift through all the donations dropped at the shop.
Ms Lane said that without the hard waste collection the overflow of rubbish was landing on the op shop’s doorstep.
“I am glad they (the council) have finally come to their senses and I am glad they have listened to the public – I hope it never happens again and that the hard waste service will continue,” she said.
“It is a step in the right direction – people can now dump their rubbish on the side of the road instead of on us.”
Ranges Ward councillor Graeme Legge has welcomed the move and says that hills residents would applaud the decision.
“I think it is really good news, especially for people who don’t have cars or trailers or the elderly,” he said.
Cr Legge said the council’s decision to return to the old system was a step in the right direction.
He said complaints from groups like the Emerald community op shop and individual residents had helped to strengthen the request to return the hard waste collections.
But the council’s decision to return to the old system will come at a cost to rate payers with an expected $6 per year added to the residential garbage charge.