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Frequently Asked Questions


Great Lakes FAQ's | Greater Taree FAQ's | Gloucester FAQ's |


Q1: What are the changes to the weekly waste collection service for residential & rural residential areas?

  • 1 x 140ltr red lidded bin for garbage (collected weekly).
  • 1 x 240ltr yellow lidded bin for recycling (collected fortnightly).
  • 1 x 240ltr green lidded bin for garden organics (collected alternate fortnightly).

Q2: What are the changes for rural areas?

  • 1 x 140ltr red lidded bin for garbage (collected weekly).
  • 1 x 240ltr yellow lidded bin for recycling (collected fortnightly).

Q3: How much will this new service cost?

The current standard annual domestic waste charge is $255.
  • From 1 July 2009 this will increase to $310 for urban and rural residential areas that receive the 3 bin system. This is an increase of $55 pa or $1.05 per week.
  • $295 pa for rural areas who will be provided with a 2 bin system. This is an increase of $40 pa or $0.77 per week.
NB: both the above increases also include the new Sect 88 Levy (being $10 / tonne of waste landfilled) payable to the NSW Government along with other landfill operations increases.

Q4: When will the new weekly waste collection service commence?

The new arrangements will commence from 1 November 2009.

Q5: We have a large family - can we have additional services if required?

Yes. You may have an additional waste, recycling or garden organics bin if required (fees apply).

Q6: I don't have any garden organics - do I have to have this service?

You do not have to retain all 3 bins if you do not want to, however, you will still be rated for this service whether it is fully utilized or not. Council provides a range of services which are funded by the annual domestic waste charge e.g. chemical clean up, bulky waste collections. It is your choice which services you use.

Q7: Can I swap my garden organics bin for an additional waste or recycling bin?

No. These services cannot be swapped as they are charged at different rates by the contractor.

Q8: Will we get new bins?

Yes, you will be issued with new bins.

Q9: What do I do with the old bins?

The contractor will collect the old bins from your property and they will be recycled. They cannot be used with the new collection service.

Q10: What can I place in the garbage bin (red lidded bin)?

General household garbage, plastic bags and non-recyclable plastics e.g. - cling wrap, pyrex, ceramics or pottery, broken toys.

Q11: What can I place in the recycling bin (yellow lidded bin)?

All plastic containers numbered 1 - 7 in the recycling triangle, steel & aluminium cans, paper & cardboard, glass bottles and jars.

Q12: What can I place in the garden organics bin (green lidded bin)?

Lawn & grass clippings, pruning's & small branches, leaves and weeds.

Q13: Will my collection days change?

There may be some variations to the collection days. All residents will be notified of any changes to their existing collection days along with all necessary information to assist in the changeover well before the service commences.

Q14: What about units and apartments?

These properties will be assessed on an individual basis.

Q15: Will Bulky Waste Clean Ups still occur throughout the year?

Two of the previous annual Clean Ups were for green waste. As a fortnightly garden organics service will be introduced to residential and rural residential areas these green waste clean ups are no longer required.

The other two Bulky Waste Clean Ups for scrap metal / white goods and residual waste will now be combined and collected simultaneously in two different trucks (scrap metal & white goods will continue to be recycled).

Q16: Why have 3 bins?

  • Increase capacity (in the Midwaste household survey Nov 2007 50.4% of Great Lakes residents surveyed advised their current bin wasn't large enough).
  • Improve recycling rates and product quality (separate bins have proven this).
  • Reduce waste going to landfill (landfill fees will progressively increase with the new State Government Levy commencing 1 July 2009).
  • Rebates are available to Councils who have a 3 bin system.
  • Reduce Green House Gas generated at our landfills (garden organics waste using the green lidded bin will be turned into mulch and not landfilled which reduces the amount of methane produced).
  • 86.5% of Great Lakes residents surveyed felt processing green waste was "important" or "very important".
  • 73% of residents surveyed (in urban & rural areas) advised they would use a garden organics collection service if Council provided it.
  • Reduce garden organics dumping (by providing an extra bin for garden organics).
  • Reduce waste dumping in public litter bins (an offence which earns a $110 penalty).

Q17: What is 'Midcoast Waste Services'?

That's the name of the new combined waste contract of Great Lakes Council, Greater Taree City Council & Gloucester Shire Council with JR Richards & Sons.



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