29 June 2017 – Media Release
Cumberland Council has awarded a tender to URM for the collection of kerbside waste, dumped rubbish and pre-booked pick up. The new waste service starting in August 2017 will deliver more than $18.8 million in savings over the next eight and a half years.
Administrator Viv May described the decision, handed down at Wednesday’s extraordinary council meeting as “pure value for the ratepayer”.
“Our new waste service will provide significant savings for the community and a more equitable, higher standard of service across the Cumberland Council area,” Mr May said.
“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 highlighted the inefficiencies and discrepancies in service across the new local government area.
“Residents can now expect decreased wait times for pre-booked collections, a free green bin, and no more early morning wake ups – the new collection service will start after 6am.
“The bulk of the savings come from the former Holroyd Council area, which means ratepayers there will see a significant drop in the waste charge of their rates without increasing what the rest of Cumberland’s residents pay.
“There will be a minimum saving of $2.2 million a year, which could well grow depending on the amount of residents who opt in to receive a free green bin and URM leasing a section of Council’s Auburn Depot for more than $400,000 a year.
“More savings will also come about as the green bins are implemented because of the decrease in the current method of recycling green waste by diverting it from the red bin, which is much more expensive.
Cumberland Council Interim General Manager Malcolm Ryan explained how staff are impacted.
“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. Alternatively they may accept a permanent position with URM and any staff who decide to leave will also receive enhanced voluntary redundancies.
“The tender evaluation process was overseen by an independent probity adviser who has advised that the process was conducted correctly and with a high level of probity.”
Over the coming months residents will be able to opt in to receive their free bin. More information will be published at www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au as it becomes available.
