Collection countdown

SHIREof Yarra Ranges residents have only three days left to have their say on a proposed fortnightly green waste collection service.
The council sent out green waste survey response cards earlier this month to identify the level of interest in the proposed service.
The council has so far received 20,311 responses to the survey with 8687 people saying yes to the service and 11,624 who are against the service.
The shire’s manager of community relations James Martin said the number of responses required for the service to go ahead had not yet been determined.
He said that was something that needs to be assessed by the council before a decision can be made.
“The service, if introduced, will be completely optional,” he said.
Obviously we (the council) will need to have enough people interested in taking it up to make it viable.”
“But the final decision as to whether we introduce the service to those residents who want it will be up to the council.”
Mayor Tim Heenan said the green waste service would provide residents with a convenient way to get rid of garden waste. “It will enable people to dispose of grass clippings, weeds, leaves, pruning, flowers and small branches,” he said.
Cr Heenan said people wanting to take up the service would receive a new wheelie bin with a lime-green lid and it would be collected fortnightly on alternative weeks to the current recycling collection.
Residents have three options to choose from including a standard 240-litre bin with a cost of $3 per week or $156 a year, a 120-litre bin for $2.62 a week or $136 a year, or no service at all.
Cr Heenan says the cost indicated was the maximum charge and that may be reduced if enough people opt for the service.
People wanting to register their choice for the green waste service need to fill out a service response card and return it to the council by Friday, or register online at www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au.
– Tania Martin