Leaf collection and gutter clearing will return to the streets of Williamstown next autumn, after a petition calling for the reinstatement of the service was passed unanimously by Hobsons Bay council on Tuesday night.
While council insists the service never ceased , a petition tabled at a meeting on June 11 claimed leaf collection had been gradually withdrawn in recent years, with no consultation.
“Our streets are choked with leaves that litter the pathways and roads, block all the gutters and drains and creates a significant health and safety risk, for which HBCC must take full responsibility,” wrote the petitioner.
The petition gained 28 signatures and after being tabled, council officers met with the lead petitioner and other key residents to address their concerns.
As a result, council has committed to better communicating its leaf collection service, including with the creation of a dedicated webpage informing residents of when it will occur.
Leaf collection is also set to occur on a more consistent basis and could be extended beyond Williamstown to neighbouring suburbs such as Newport and Altona Meadows.
“Cleaning streets and maintaining amenity of our community is core service of council and I’m happy to support anything that gets the basics done,” said councillor Daria Kellander in support of the motion.
Responding to councillor questions, director infrastructure and city services Matthew Irving said the leaf collection service would be able to respond to unseasonable leaf fall, but street congestion meant it was unlikely to occur at the same time as rubbish collection.
Cade Lucas.
