2 May 2017 – Media Release
Cumberland Council has announced it will tender out waste management services.
The tender was advertised today, following lengthy consultation with a number of stakeholders, including residents, staff and the United Services Union (USU).
Upon proclamation, Cumberland Council inherited three separate waste management services from the former Auburn and Holroyd councils, as well as part of Parramatta.
An extensive service review was undertaken following proclamation, which included an investigation into a number of different waste service options, based on the technical expertise and input of Cumberland staff and an independent verification of Council’s processes.
“The review highlighted the inefficiencies and discrepancies in service across the new local government area,” Cumberland Council Administrator Viv May said.
“It also highlighted the potential for significant savings and a more equitable standard of service across Cumberland, by contracting out some or all of waste management services.
“Throughout the review process Council has provided the USU and affected staff a number of opportunities to propose an alternative solution for the delivery of waste services that addresses the issues highlighted by the review. Unfortunately no proposals have been forthcoming.”
While tenders for the domestic kerbside collection of waste, recyclables, garden organics, dumped rubbish and clean up services have been called, Council will retain the right to decide which of the services are offered to a private contractor based on the prices received.
“We believe this will provide significant savings for the community and a more equitable, higher standard of service across the Cumberland Council area,” Mr May said.
Savings are expected to be in the order of $16 million over the next seven years, not including the more than $10 million currently sitting in the waste reserve. The Administrator has called for an options papers on how the reserve money can be returned to the ratepayer.
“Residents of the former Holroyd Council, who currently need to lug their own green waste to the Guildford West Depot, will get their own green bin that will be collected directly fortnightly from their kerbside,” Mr May said
“And dumped rubbish will be removed within one working day of being reported, helping ensure the safety and cleanliness of our community.
“Throughout this process Council has acknowledged the potential impact on our staff. All staff have been and remain assured that whoever wants a job with Council will have a job with Council.”
It is expected the new service will commence in September 2017.
