Upper Lachlan Waste Collection Centre visits up by more than 500 per cent for Free Waste Disposal initiative

The Upper Lachlan Shire Council allowed Free Waste Disposal (with some items not included) to residents and ratepayers on Clean Up Australia Day.

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In response, attendance at the centres was up across the shire. The Gunning Centre experienced an increase of 661 per cenr, the Crookwell Centre had an increase of 465 per cent, the Taralga Centre was up 520 per cenr and the Collector Centre increased by 600 per cent.

General manager Colleen Worthy said she was pleased with the way so many residents and ratepayers took the opportunity to dispose of their waste responsibly.

"Those are significant attendance figures and it's very encouraging that so many people made such good use of this Free Waste Disposal Day," she said.

"A very disappointing aspect of the day is that a lot of household waste was dumped at Barbour Park and the Showground in Gunning. It's particularly mystifying as people were allowed free entry at the Collection Centres.

"According to staff, dumping of household waste at Barbour Park and Gunning Showground is becoming a semi-regular occurrence, and the street litter bins at both venues are not designed or permitted for that."

Mrs Worthy advised that, in addition to the regular weekly service to Gunning residents, rural ratepayers near Gunning were allowed entry to the Waste Collection Centre with the use of a Rural Waste Card.

"The council will now have to increase surveillance on areas where people are dumping household waste, which will include fines and penalties to recover the additional costs to council," Mrs Worthy said.

"It's a pity we have to use our resources this way but that's where we are at with illegal dumping occurring regularly. However that shouldn't overshadow the many people who used the Free Waste Disposal Day so well and responsibly."

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