6 October 2016 – Media Release
Cumberland Council has undertaken a Waste Services Review to resolve the variety of different service delivery methods of the three former council areas to increase efficiency and value for money. The review, tabled at the Council Meeting in Merrylands on 6th October, found that there are varying levels of consistency. A rationalisation of the entire service and the way it is delivered will ensure the community receives an effective waste service that is uniform, efficient and cost effective.
“It is clear that there is a need to co-ordinate and streamline our waste services so there is uniformity across Cumberland that delivers a best practice, cost effective service for residents,” Cumberland Council General Manager Malcolm Ryan said today.
“Carrying on with three separate approaches to waste services is not an option. In examining a new approach Council must consider how we can provide a service to residents that provides the best value for money to ratepayers and delivers high quality outcomes.”
“Council will now form a Working Group comprised of Council staff and affected unions to consider the content of the review and assess the suggested options.”
“We are keen to do the right thing for all of our residents and our employees. It is important to recognise that through this process Council will be protecting the jobs of our employees,” Mr Ryan said.
The Waste Services Review considered all the available options including in-house and contracted services currently operating across Cumberland.
The Review also examined the potential for future partnership with neighbouring Councils to investigate regional collection of kerbside waste options.
A further report will be provided at the November Council meeting advising the outcome of the working group’s deliberations.
The release of this review follows the Cumberland Council takeover (from 30 September) of street and park maintenance in the former Woodville Ward consisting of the suburbs of Granville, South Granville and Guildford.
“We are cleaning up Granville, South Granville and Guildford,” Cumberland Council Administrator, Viv May said today.
“Since Friday night our trucks have pulled 7 tons of garbage from the gutters. Our staff are also collecting 2 tons of dumped rubbish a day.
“We know that there has been a problem in these suburbs, but now that Cumberland has taken over we aim to get the rubbish off the streets as quickly as possible, It is a simple back to basics approach” Mr May said.
