Frequently Asked Questions

Does the council still provide free mulch to residents?

The City of Melville is no longer able to offer free mulch to its residents as we find that we now need to use as much as we can get for remulching our reserves and garden beds. There is a service available over the internet. If you go to www.mulchnet.com and follow the prompts you will be able to order a free load of mulch supplied from one of the tree loppers that operates around Perth.

Does the council provided free or low-cost skips for removal of goods, as some othe councils do?

The City of Melville does not provide free or low price skips to residents. Residents are encouraged to recycle materials if possible and/or utilise our Green Waste and Whitegoods collection service to assist in the removal of bulk materials.

I think that Melville City Council should take a closer look at the operations of City of Bayswater Council. They have canceled verge pickups in lieu of tip passes or requesting a bulk bin.

The City of Bayswater allows residents to obtain three (3) bulk bins OR three tip passes per year (1 April to 31 March). The bulk bins are three cubic metres in size and are available for the disposal of general household and garden waste only.

Bulk bins may be ordered by telephoning 9272 0605 or in person at the City’s Administration Centre or the Max Tulley Office and Information Centre (Galleria). You will be given an order number for future reference when ordering a bulk bin. Waiting times for the bulk bins will vary subject to availability at the time of ordering.

Bulk bins are left onsite for a maximum 40 hours during the week, and delivered either Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Weekend orders are delivered Thursday or Friday and collected Monday or Tuesday.

Guidelines for using bulk bins correctly
Please do not put in these items (as they will not be collected):

• Asbestos

• Building materials (i.e. brick, sand, rubble or concrete)

• Hazardous materials (i.e. chemicals, oils, batteries)

• Paint

• Tyres and car parts

• White goods

These items are either hazardous, are not permitted to go to landfill, or may damage the truck's lifting gear. Please note that there are no verge collections in the City of Bayswater.

The City of Melville undertook a review of the most cost effective way of providing a bulk collection service to our residents in April 2009. In this review all areas including the provision of bulk bins, and at call bins, tip passes, and the current verge collection process were investigated to determine which provided the best service and value for money to residents. Whilst it is agreed there are some advantages in the provision of bulk bins and or tip passes, there is also a significant cost associated with both of these options. Furthermore, there is a significant risk assocaited with possible contamination of collections (i.e. metal and bricks placed in a 'green' collection) which has the effect of significantly reducing our ability to recycle thus incurring significant increases in disposal costs. Part of the City of Melvilles waste strategy is to increase recycling as part of the State's reduction to landfill targets, and it was identified that the use of skip bins would either reduce this, or create significant cost to allow for additional personnel to sort collected rubbish to allow for recycling. Both of these options were seen as not preferred.

There was also an issue about adequate budgeting, as an 'at call skip bin system' is very difficult to budget for, and would create a significant risk to charges as depending on the yearly up take within a budget cycle, residents may be either over or under charged for the collections, requiring the Council to look at reducing other services to make up for any shortfall. It was determined that the current service provided the most cost effective and best level of service to the residents of the City of Melville. It has also reduced budgetary risk as we are able to make an accurate determination of the costs involved.

Based upon the reduced costs and risks, greater opportunities for recycling and being able to provide the highest level of service to residents, the current process of verge pick-ups was endorsed as the preferred option for bulk collections.

Leigh Bosworth
Manager Operations

How come all our surrounding councils offer green waste pickup, white goods pickup AND FREE tip passes?

The City of Melville do not offer free tip passes as the City of Melville does not operate a tip. The cost of utilising passes at neighbouring tips has been considered and, if included as a service, would need to be added on to the Waste Levy to pay the owners of such facilities.

The option of tip passes was investigated along with the option to provide bulk bins. It was identified that the current service of 4 bulk pick ups per year is the most cost effective method of collecting up to 8 cbm of material per resident. As we do not own a tip, and there is not one located within the City of Melville, tip passes would disadvantage many residents and would have a significant increase to the current Waste Levy. The current service provides the most cost effective method of the collection of waste across all residents within the City.

I've just moved to the area, and can't believe that I have to store my bulk rubbish for 12 months in anticipation of my annual collection.

The current collection of 3 x green waste + 1 x junk colelction services reflects the 'green' nature of the majority of residental properties within the City, and is highly valued by the wider community. It has and remains the intent of the City to encourage recycling and reduce waste going to landfill and the curernt collection cycle falls within this policy.

If your specific disposal requirements exceed the City's collections there are several commercial options available to you to meet your disposal requirements.

Leigh Bosworth
Manager Operations

My daughter is a diabetic, where is the collection site for safe disposal of syringes in Melville?

With regards to sharps (needles) it is the responsibility of the individual to dispose of them in an appropriate manner. A sharps container should be supplied to the individual to dispose of accordingly.

The City of Melville does not supply a service for this requirement and I would suggest individuals follow this up with their practitioner or Diabetics Australia.

Any Chemist in the Diabetic Scheme (DSS) will take the specially marked sharps containers and dispose of them.

I'm surprised - and a little disappointed - that the Home page does not confirm that the City will be organising an emergency service to remove green rubbish resulting from the recent storm. I appreciate that it might take time to organise a roster and confirm exactly when green waste will be removed, but at least we could all start moving debris to our verges in readiness for this service.

I would like to thank the council for reacting to my request and removing the large pile of green waste from my verge following the recent storms. After initially advising that I may need to wait until the next verge collection they were able to pick it up. We are very grateful.