Ready to roll on FOGO trial
Published on 08 September 2021
Hundreds of households across the Region are set to see a green addition this October when Council’s Food Organics and Gardens Organics (FOGO) bin trial hits the kerbside.
Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams said participating households in Gracemere, The Range, Frenchville and Koongal have now been notified.
“This trial is a major step in our journey to becoming a zero waste community,” Mayor Williams said.
“I really want to thank those 750 households that have been selected to take part – I hope this is something you’re equally excited about.
“The way you use your new bin during this trial will help us to decide the best waste services for our entire community, so if you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
“We’re also running a survey at the moment that’s open to the whole community. Whether you’re in the trial or not, we would really encourage everyone to submit your feedback.”
The Member for Keppel and Assistant Education Minister Brittany Lauga said the Palaszczuk Government was pleased to part-fund this trial.
“The Palaszczuk Government is partnering with Rockhampton council to turn household food scraps and garden waste into valuable products like compost and create jobs.
“This trial, if successful, could see up to 83 per cent of food and garden waste diverted from landfill and instead create new opportunities for business, savings for council and more jobs in resource recovery.
“It’s part of our record $1.4 billion investment to act on waste, protect our environment, create jobs and help drive Queensland’s economic recovery plan through COVID-19, and I would love to see this programme through more households in the future.
Waste and Recycling Councillor Shane Latcham said he was very excited to see the trial get going.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to really test out the organics bins options that are available, so that if we introduce one in the future we know it’s the right option,” Cr Latcham said.
“Depending on the area the participants are in, they’ll either receive a bin for food organics and garden organics (FOGO) or a bin for garden organics (GO) only.
“Households in the FOGO trial will be receiving a smaller general waste bin which will be serviced fortnightly. This is so that we can service their new FOGO bin weekly, since that’s where any organic matter will now be going.
“For households in the GO trial there’ll be no changes to their existing service, and their new garden organics bin will be collected on the opposite fortnight to their recycling service.
“Community feedback will be a big part of any future decision making, so I would encourage everyone to take 10 minutes to fill in a quick survey about the trial.”
Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke said he was excited about the partnership between council and the Queensland Government, with systems in other states already diverting up to 83 per cent of food and garden waste from landfill.
“If successful, Rockhampton will be swapping food waste for new opportunities for business, savings for council and more jobs in resource recovery,” Mr O’Rourke said.
To complete the survey head to engage.rockhamptonregion.qld.gov.au
Find out more about the trial by heading to our website at www.rrc.qld.gov.au/fogo
ENDS