The City completed its review of the vergeside collections in the City of Rockingham with a view to improve material recovery and reduce illegal dumping. This objective of the review was to:
- Assess the options contained in the WALGA Better Practice Verge Collection Guidelines
- Investigate available options and case studies from other Local Governments
- Conduct cost analysis of suitable options including in house provision of services
- Include community consultation seeking community input to the review
In August 2024, the City engaged ASK Waste Management Consultants to undertake a comprehensive review of the bulk verge collection service. The review included the following:
- Analysis of the national and state waste strategy
- Better practice
- Benchmarking
- Service model alternatives
- Multi Criteria Assessment (MCA)
- Community consultation
ASK Waste Management Consultants conducted community engagement from October to December 2024 receiving 1,332 sets of inputs:
- A community survey which was promoted on the City’s website, through Rock Port and on social media, receiving 1,306 responses
- Two community workshops
- A focus group workshop
The consultation outcomes indicated that the users of the verge collection services have a high level of satisfaction, indicating that the current service generally meets their needs.
The outcomes of the community consultation were presented at a Councillor Engagement Session in February 2025.
The key themes were as follows:
- Most participants use both the verge collection services and tip vouchers to dispose of waste.
- Feedback from participants who don’t use verge collection services differed considerably from those who do.
- The hard waste collection is used more often than green waste collection services.
- Old furniture, equipment, toys and junk comprise the majority of waste disposed of as part of verge collection services.
- Participants are generally satisfied with the current service although there is room for improvement.
- Providing better environmental outcomes and less waste to landfill needs to form part of a low-cost, easy and accessible service.
- The majority of participants support paying more to improve resource recovery.
- Most participants want to continue the current service.
- There is some interest in containerised collections, although this needs to be further validated.
- There is little support for a user-pays service.
- Any service needs to be supported by recycling and reuse programs and improved waste education to reduce waste generation and improve resource recover.
At the May 2024 Council meeting – Council resolved the following:
That Council:
- ENDORSES the City of Rockingham Bulk Verge Collection Review May 2025 and the recommendations of the report (page 38), Attachment 1
- DIRECTS the Chief Executive Officer to initiate a detailed assessment of the financial and logistical feasibility of bringing the service in-house.
- REQUESTS the findings of point 2 (above) be referred to a Councillor Engagement Session for feedback and discussion.
Council Agendas and Minutes