By BEN CAMERON
Residents say council is talking rubbish over garbage mess…
A frustrated Guys Hill resident is at war with an “inactive” Cardinia Shire Council and “sloppy contractors” over bin collection which she said has left rubbish sprawled over her road every fortnight.
It’s become such an issue that it’s inspired Karen Alsop of Montuna Grove to write a blog post with accompanying digital art work entitled The Guys Hill Apocalypse.
“(It’s) my view of what might become of our beautiful town if nothing is done,” she said.
“It is my hope that the digital art piece plays a role in eradicating this problem… (for) all residents that suffer at the hands of sloppy contactors and an inactive council.”
Mrs Alsop said over the past year or so, every couple of weeks, at least one of the six bins left outsider her studio is half emptied and the remaining rubbish has eventually spilt over Beaconsfield-Emerald Road.
“It’s never the same bin, so it cannot be blamed on one resident’s carelessness,” she said.
“It’s a fortnightly recurrence.
“Wildlife has already gotten to the contents and ripped open garbage bags to expose further contents of our bin, including dirty nappies.”
She said she’d been told by “somebody in management” about six weeks ago at Cardinia Shire Council that contractors believed residents were not shutting their bin lids correctly.
Then a letter arrived called ‘Overfilled bin causing litter’ which Mrs Alsop found patronising.
“If your bins are overflowing we require you to look into this urgently, otherwise we may be forced to take further action,” the letter read.
“If you cannot shut your bin as it is too full, we recommend that you review whether you are recycling everything you can and ensure that items are crushed or squashed down to fit inside your bin.
“If you find you are filling your bin with nappies, it may be worth considering cloth nappies as an alternative.”
Mrs Alsop was far from impressed.
“As if the council have a right to tell us how we should be managing our private household responsibilities”.
Council Waste Officer Melanie Kerr repeated the contractor’s stance that the spilled litter had been caused by overfilled bins.
“Council endeavours to educate residents and provide advice against overfilling bins, particularly where this is a reoccurring issue, in this instance in Guys Hill, letters were sent to properties with information on how to ensure waste is minimised,” she said.
“It is in the best interests of residents, contractors and council to avoid overfilled bins.
“The waste collection contractor has visited the area in Guys Hill and will continue to monitor the issue and report back to council.”
Mrs Alsop’s blog and artwork can be found at storyart.com.au/the-guys-hill-apocalypse.
