Clean sweep, at last

THE final chapter in the City of Greater Dandenong’s hard waste collection saga was expected to be completed yesterday when the last pile of rubbish was removed from the streets.
A new contractor was appointed to finish the work when the council sacked the previous service provider following collection delays of more than five weeks in some areas.
Many residents left out more than the recommended quantity of hard waste, compounding the problems. Contractors collected a record 3300 tonnes of hard waste during the year, including 4.5 tonnes from a single property in Coomoora Road in Keysborough.
Last year, 2000 tonnes of hard waste was collected.
This year’s collection cost the council $320,000, including tipping fees.
Councillor Peter Brown called on council officers to provide alternative options for the collection of hard waste in 2006.
Councillor David Kelly said residents should also be asked for suggestions.
“The community caused it, so they could perhaps come up with an answer,” he said.
The alternatives will be put to the council at its 24 October meeting.