Susanna Freymark
Tony Leggo wants to take his wheelie bin to the tip, empty it and go back home.
For Tony, that is impossible. Not only does he have muscular dystrophy, six years ago he was fighting fires as an RFS volunteer and he was struck by a tree. His spine was broken.
On top of that, a new bar installed at Bonalbo Transfer Station has made it impossible to empty a wheelie bin without lifting the bin to chest height and emptying it over the edge.
“I physically can’t do it,” Tony said. “I can’t lift anything above my waist.”
Tony spoke about the issue at the Kyogle Council meeting on Monday, September 8.
“I feel apprehensive asking for help. If someone has to help me with my 40-kilo bin, they could get hurt,” Tony said.
“Could the council investigate options to empty our bins.”
Councillor Tom Cooper said the recent safety rail installed at Bonalbo waste transfer station on the general waste skip bin has created an issue for many residents, not just Tony.
“Would it be possible to provide an additional small skip bin for disabled and elderly residents to access until a more permanent solution can be developed?” he said.
The rail was put up after an accident at Bonalbo tip in February. WorkSafe NSW required the council to install the safety barrier.
All council waste facilities are designed and constructed to have at least a 90cm safety barrier in front of any waste drop-off bays that are greater than 1mbelow ground level.
This is to prevent someone from falling in.
General manager Marcus Schintler said the council was reviewing the facilities at Bonalbo waste transfer station.
“We are looking at other options for a (tip) site,” he said.
“Rest assured, we are looking.”
A possible option is a manually operated or automated wheelie bin lifter. The lifter ranges in price from $5000–$15,000.
This was not discussed at the council meeting, but was mentioned by Tony after the meeting.
Councillor Olivia Taylor said there were similar issues at the Kyogle tip. She asked about the timeline for a report on the issue.
“This could be a liability issue,” she said.
“It is a priority,” Mr Schintler said.