No collection dates set as Geraldton verge side rubbish roll-out delayed due to ‘market challenges’

Verge side rubbish collection will not be making an immediate return to Geraldton after the program’s restart was delayed due to market challenges — with no date confirmed yet when it will return. The free collection allows residents to dispose of bulky items such as white goods and furniture as well as green waste on their verge side for City contractors to dispose of or recycle. It was scrapped back in 2016 to reduce costs and decrease the incidents of untidy verges but the council decided to reinstate the program on the back of high public demand. The City has budgeted $650,000 in the 2022/23 Budget for the annual collection of bulk verge side rubbish. City of Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the need for the program was plain to see. “You just have to talk to people as well as see the chatter online to get a feel for how much the community want bulk verge side rubbish collection to return,” he said. However, a commencement date has not been confirmed as the program is experiencing delays with the City citing contractor challenges. “It was our intention to roll-out the service towards the end of this year but due to challenges with contractor availability as well as capacity regarding staff and resource shortages this has been delayed,” Mr Van Styn said. “We are currently investigating possible solutions so that bulk rubbish verge side collection can commence later this year as we know how much our community wants this. “We are reviewing the proposed contract to see what adjustments can be made so that we can work within the current market challenges.” The program is a key part of the councils Strategic Community Plan which aims to have a thriving community that provides opportunity whilst protecting the environment and enhancing the social and cultural fabric. “This is an expensive program that our community has been asking for, we’re returning it to help beautify all areas of Geraldton as opposed to some of these items being dumped in the bush,” Mr Van Styn said.