Rockingham Council Meeting Descends Into Chaos Over FOGO Bin Debate
A fiery dispute over red rubbish bins has ignited tempers among Rockingham ratepayers, culminating in a council meeting where Mayor Lorna Buchan threatened to shut down proceedings due to raucous interjections from the public gallery. The controversy centers on the FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) system, implemented last year, which reduced general waste bin collections to fortnightly, sparking widespread community frustration.
Public Outbursts Force Mayor to Intervene
During the Tuesday night meeting, newly elected councillor Dylan Mbano proposed a motion to resume weekly bin collections, citing hygiene concerns and overflowing bins. As the debate unfolded, members of the public began shouting from the gallery, with one woman yelling, "What about the hygiene?" and a man retorting, "Enjoy your one-term sitting," as he exited. Another attendee labeled the council as "a council of sycophants."
Mayor Buchan repeatedly called for order, urging the group to leave quietly and warning that she would adjourn the meeting if disruptions continued. "You are interfering and disrupting this meeting, please leave quietly," she stated, raising her voice as the shouts persisted.
Councillors Clash Over Waste Management Policies
The motion to revert to weekly collections resulted in a tied vote, with five councillors in favor and five against, forcing Mayor Buchan to use her casting vote to defeat it. Councillor Mbano argued that weekly collection was a "modest request" and criticized the FOGO decision as an attempt to appease an "arrogant state government." He highlighted issues such as residents dumping trash in parks and maggot-infested bins, claiming that reverting to weekly pickups would be cheaper than households purchasing additional bins.
Councillor Buchanan seconded the motion, expressing concern over the "blasted" red bins and noting that 70% of people he spoke to in a local pub shared these worries. He described overflowing bins as an "urgent problem" that required immediate attention, admitting the council had "made a mess of this."
Opposition Cites Financial and Environmental Concerns
In contrast, Councillor Dawn Jecks opposed the motion, warning that fortnightly collections could lead to a five per cent rate rise and questioning why pensioners and low-income earners should bear the cost. She attributed the policy to state government mandates aimed at reducing landfill and boosting recycling. Councillor Hudson echoed this, blaming the "state government's climate alarmist agenda" and pointing out structural flaws, such as the two-week collection interval being too long, especially in newer suburbs.
Mayor Buchan defended the FOGO system, emphasizing environmental and generational responsibility. She stated that reverting to weekly collections would cost $5 million this year and $2.5 million annually thereafter, with logistical challenges delaying truck reinstatement until 2027. She praised the rollout as successful, with low contamination rates and high participation, projecting a diversion of 12,500 tonnes of FOGO material from landfill.
Community Impact and Ongoing Tensions
The debate underscored deep divisions within the community and council over waste management. Public frustration was palpable, with social media photos showing bins crawling with maggots and reports of illegal dumping. Councillor Mbano challenged the cost estimates, questioning what happened to the trucks used eight months ago. As tensions simmer, the issue remains unresolved, highlighting the broader challenges of balancing environmental goals with practical community needs in local governance.
