Page 1308 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 27 March 2012
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is no easy solution regarding charity bins but I think there is genuine goodwill and an acknowledgement from the charities and the government that at peak times of the year, particularly at Christmas, they become eyesores and hotspots for illegal dumping.
MS HUNTER: Supplementary.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Hunter.
MS HUNTER: Minister, given that the contractor, whom you have mentioned, designated to pick up the bulky goods waste will not enter into people’s houses, and that many people who need the service are unable to do the heavy lifting, how can the bulky goods waste collection scheme be improved?
MS GALLAGHER: We are looking at that as we speak. As members would know, we expected about 10,000 pick-ups under the trial of the bulky waste scheme and we have had 1,500 to date—maybe just over that now, probably 1,600. We are looking at all aspects of the trial; that is why we had the trial. We have got some feedback—about things people like about it and things people find hard, from talking with Tiny’s, the operator of that service; about ways to improve it; and at the moment looking at how we can improve some of the underutilisation of it. So we are looking at all of those aspects.
MS BRESNAN: A supplementary.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Bresnan.
MS BRESNAN: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, given the low take-up of the bulky goods collection trial and the low level of paid collections, what assessment will be undertaken to determine whether the scheme will continue?
MS GALLAGHER: We are undertaking that now; so it is a continuous process. I think some of the feedback we have had from people who have used the service is that it has met their needs. Other people would like to see it more universal across the ACT and not restricted to concession cardholders.
I note that I get feedback that Queanbeyan does a bulky waste pick-up, I think twice a year. But when I have gone back and had a look, Queanbeyan residents also pay a $250 waste surcharge on top of their rates as part of the provision of waste services. So I think people think that they are getting a free bulky waste service. They are not. They are actually paying a charge around waste at an annual fee.
We are looking at all aspects of it. I think it has a future. It is just about getting the criteria, the eligibility and functionality right, and we are doing that work now.
Canberra Connect—computers
MR HANSON: My question is to the Chief Minister and Minister for Territory and Municipal Services. Minister, I have been informed by a constituent that there was a
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