Director of ACT NOWaste Michael Trushell is warning Canberrans of further disruptions to the collection of household waste and recycling bins next week, due to industrial action by drivers employed by collection contractor SUEZ.

The Transport Workers Union (TWU), representing the drivers of collection trucks, yesterday provided the three working days’ notice required for industrial action to take place on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 May 2016. This action will impact services in Weston Creek, Woden and Tuggeranong.

“The announcement that further industrial action is planned for Monday and Tuesday next week means household waste and recycling bins will not be collected on those days,” Michael said.

“Due to the large number of suburbs impacted by the industrial action – around 40 percent of the community – catch up collection services will not be possible.

“To help minimise the impact on residents, the ACT Government is working with contractor SUEZ to develop additional contingency measures. Temporary drop-off sites for excess waste and recycling will be established within the affected areas. Further details on the location of these sites will be announced by the end of the week.

“The following arrangements will again be in place from Monday 23 May through to Sunday 29 May 2016 inclusive:

• excess household waste of up to two large plastic garbage bags can be disposed of for free at both the Mitchell and Mugga Lane Resource Management Centres. Proof of address such as driver’s licence will need to be provided to demonstrate the resident is from a suburb whose bins were scheduled for collection on Monday and Tuesday;
• recyclable materials from the yellow bin can be dropped-off for free at the six regional recycling drop-off centres. Additional collection services will again be scheduled to help cope with the expected increase in the recyclable material being disposed of by affected residents.

Recycling drop-off centres are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are located at Jolly Street, Belconnen; Parkwood Road, Macgregor; O’Brien Place, Gungahlin; Baillieu Court, Mitchell,Botany Street, Phillip and Scollay Street, Tuggeranong.

Mr Trushell reminded the community further industrial action may be lawfully undertaken up to 8 June 2016 and encouraged residents to be mindful of their waste generation over the next few weeks.

“By minimising the amount of waste created, people may be able to help their friends, family or neighbours by offering them any room they have in their bin to dispose of excess waste.”

The ACT Government will keep the community informed of the industrial action including any further potential impacts to residents and alternative disposal options. For more information on the industrial action including impacted suburbs and alternative disposal options visit tams.act.gov.au.