Private rubbish men not wanted

Press, 2 March 1982, Page 6

Private rubbish men not wanted

The Christchurch City Council will probably reject the latest, approach,, of, a private contractor to take over the city’s rubbish collection. . ‘ City collection rounds at present may be “marginally more expensive” than those done by the Waimairi County. Council contractor, the City Engineer (Mr P. G. Scoular) told the resource recovery. committee yesterday, but city'.unionscould soon be asked whether a cost-cutting move would be acceptable. That move might reduce the number of . rounds' done each day from nine to eight, and could mean a saving of about $BO,OOO a year. That could , make the city rounds less expensive — by about 70c a user each year — than the county collections, Mr Secular’s report said. - County collections may be ' about 2 per cent cheaper

' now, by about 30c a. user ; each year. i The Mayor (Mr Hamish i Hay) said that the latest private enterprise suggestion, from Bin Services, Ltd, .-was “worthy of much further (’/study.”. The Auckland City Council had - saved money by switching to a private con'traetdr. “It is riot' just a guestion of a philosophical issue,”. said Mr Hay. “The ‘figures quoted by the City Engineer are quite impressive,. but are" we satisfied beyond all doubt?” ; Cr H. A. Clark said that a further study would only add to already-high rubbish disposalcosts. It would be premature “when we are confident we are getting a good deal from pur workers at present.” /./ ./. The suggestion could be considered at some time in the future, if councillors wanted, when the evolving rubbish scheme had settled down.

Cr D. C. Close said the matter had always beer under review. The Bin Services: approach was just the latest of several; . > “The facts'are not before us,” said Cr M. J. Glubb. “They: have; not been demqn- . strated. The engineer's view should be reinforced by objective knowledge.” Mr Scoular said that .the council could (control its costs in the long term under the present system, and had a secure collection system/ The council system has about 50 men and nine vehicles. ; ! There had been no adjustment to city rounds since the Western Refuse Station opened, and their reduction could depend on the success of the city’s rubbish recycling collection scheme. That scheme will cover the entire city, except the central business district and areas east of the Ferrymead Bridge, by next month.