06/06/2026
Time to update you all! What have we been up to?..
it’s a long one, so buckle in. 💫
We offer many services, one of those being waste removal! We support those who are unable to transport waste themselves, we work a lot with our elderly population and vulnerable community members. We currently use our local waste management facility daily, sometimes up to several times a day. We are a reputable, trusted business within the community and well known by cessnock council. We have a wonderful relationship with most council members at the facility, and cannot fault most.
The current waste management facility regulations and protocols make it difficult for small businesses like us to support our local community. At current, the guidelines to using a community members waste voucher is to register as a reputable business within the council. The client has to submit paperwork online with the voucher, add their details, add our details, attach the rates notice with the voucher numbers and its subject for approval up to 10 days. We then have to wait for our approval, before we can load up and take the items away.
Why is this a hard process? Most realestates only give tenants the legal 7 days notice for a house inspection - this means the race is on to clear up the property. We’ve had people call about natural disasters and green waste needing to be cleared for safety and insurance. Clients not realising they need to give us notice, and call us before they hand the keys in the next day. Domestic violence situations where they need to run and be quick. We have elderly clients who don’t have devices and only have paper copies of things and limited knowledge using technology. Lastly, if only one voucher is uploaded, we are out of pocket expenses when it goes over the weight as we’re unable to provide additional vouchers.
Unfortunately with the current system, all the above scenarios plus more, mean we aren’t able to provide the prompt service that we pride ourselves on. We can’t take same day calls, without appearing to be difficult to the council. This system is currently set up due to illegal sale of vouchers that have occurred in the past, prevent misuse and use of stolen vouchers and limit the cost council has to pay to the government for waste disposal. We understand most reasonings, however even after speaking with the waste facility managers and overseeing personnel, there have been no exceptions. Even when providing all relevant documentation - clients vouchers, with proof of ID and rates notice, it’s still quite difficult.
We contacted MP Dan Repacholi who forwarded our issue onto local council member James Hawkins. James since has agreed with us about the difficulties regarding the policies, and has been actively negotiating with the waste facility to come up with solutions for small businesses like us. He’s been incredible with this process. The reality is, without business like us we would see more illegal dumping, unkept premises, an increase in tenant crisis. We would see more people and vulnerable community members taken advantage of, and most importantly our tax payers not being able to use their vouchers that they pay for!
We could go on with this topic. This is not just about our business and gaining an income, it is about supporting those who need it. We have spoken with the council about bringing back curb side pick ups for those that need help if hiring business are an issue, which was denied due to outside of capabilities.
Such a small issue that not many think of, but does make a big impact. We are trying to make it easier for people like us doing the right thing and supporting our community. Keep our community clean and look after our rate payers who deserve to be able to use their vouchers who pay for them, even if they’re physically unable to.
We hope we can get a positive outcome for everyone! 💪🏼
