Page 650 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 21 March 1990
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recycling program ought to be well entrenched. It is only in this way that the extra volume of waste collected could be avoided. That is one of the recommendations of this committee.
The committee was advised that the current contract with Wastehawk for the southside provides for conversion to the automated big bin system; contracts for the northside may be terminated on one month's written notice, and no contractual penalties would be incurred if a one-person automated collection system with big bins were introduced into Canberra.
Cost is a very important factor in anything that this Assembly does. Based on the costs put before the committee and on the rapid rail system, the total cost for the purchase, assembly and transportation of bins for the households of Canberra is approximately $7.5m. Over the life span of the bins - say, 10 years - spread across those households, the cost would be approximately $8 per annum per household. That figure is almost half that now spent by householders on purchasing bins every year. Under the present system householders are required to purchase their own bins and, given their short life span, householders may need to purchase one bin per year at a cost of approximately $15. In total, net savings of almost $1.5m per annum would accrue to the household sector through the use of big bins.
In relation to the better management of landfill, the Office of City Management again submitted that if a total collection system were introduced it would cut by 80 per cent the number of visits made by householders to the tip. This phenomenon was observed by the Waste Management Authority at some regional waste disposal facilities. ACT householders, it is interesting to note, spend approximately $4.5m on petrol, toil and time visiting the tips. With the introduction of a total collection system, with big wheelie bins, it is estimated that the tip visits by householders would decrease by 50 to 80 per cent, thus saving between $2.2m and $3.2m. There is also less wear and tear on vehicles, and householders would have more free time to enjoy other facilities. With less traffic, the landfill sites could also operate more efficiently. More compaction at the tip face could be carried out, thus lengthening the life of the tip.
In relation further to the summary of costs, it was estimated that the total costs to be met with the introduction of a one-person, automated big bin system would be: capital costs, conversion of purchase, $2.8m, with a cost per household of $4; net contract collection costs of $0.6m, or $5 per household; and a total cost of $3.4m, or $9 per household per annum. The total benefits to accrue with the system would be between $3.97m and $5.7m per annum. The savings per household were estimated at between $52.80 and $53.80 per annum. A comparison of the costs and benefits is easily made, even though no monetary
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