Parks and reserves receive high tourist traffic during peak seasons, so Council had made the decision to increase the number of bins from 600 to 702, and to increase the frequency of emptying those bins through the provision of additional council staff.

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Citing a number of complaints, especially following the public holidays, Crs Watson and Niland raised a Notice of Motion asking that Council investigate whether these measures had been effective.

They said they received direct complaints that bins, particularly along foreshore areas, were constantly full to overflowing.

In a statement released prior to the most recent Council meeting, Cr Watson said, “We acknowledge that efforts were made to improve waste management over the peak season, however it is important that we review these efforts and see what can be done better.

“It’s clear that there were some areas that we failed, including around Karuah and Nelson Bay.”

During discussion, Councillors were supportive of a review process, while also providing insight into issues that have been difficult to police in public areas.

Cr Giacomo Arnott stated that he “was more concerned that this being dealt with a year ago hasn’t fixed the problem.”

Mayor Leah Anderson and Cr Jason Wells both observed that this issue was noticeably improved from the previous year, while acknowledging there was room for continued improvement.

Cr Wells, referencing photos that had been submitted as examples of the problem, observed that “it was really obvious that people were dumping domestic waste.”

There was general agreement that increased community education into responsible disposal of waste would be necessary.

The motion was unanimously passed.

By Lindsay HALL