Trash talk

This story makes good use of bad rubbish – thanks to the advocacy of a Residents Association!

A home owner recently discovered a large general waste receptacle for the community had been placed on the other side of the street from their home.

When the home owner approached the office, the operator informed them that it would be staying as they had nowhere else to put it.

Further investigation into what had brought about this sudden change of location revealed that the bin had previously been located in an area where the operator had recently installed new cabins.

Previously, the home owner had enjoyed the outdoor ambience of their site. However now they were forced to experience several unpleasant sensory assaults. The home owner refused to accept this as the only solution the operator could find.

The home owner made contact with their Residents Association and was advised to document the impact it was having on them.

Over the course of a couple of weeks they documented increased noise due to trucks on collection days, increased foot traffic, the bin door locked into the open position which was inviting birds and the presence of flies multiplying. At times the bin would be overflowing before it was due to be emptied.

When the home owner viewed the home to purchase some time ago this would have put them off, and it would not appeal to anyone who wanted to buy it from them later on.

The advocate from the Residents Association contacted the operator and arranged to meet with them to discuss the impact it was having. The operator was informed that if it was not resolved the matter would be taken to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT).

Shortly afterwards the bin was relocated and proper enjoyment in using the site was restored.

This article was published in the ‘Grotesque, Unbelievable, Bizarre & Unprecedented' section of Outasite magazine issue 13. Outasite is published once annually. Outasite Lite email newsletter is sent several times a year – subscribe here. All past issues are available in the archive.