Hundreds of kerbside bins in Christchurch getting missed for collection
From reporter Steven Walton:
---------
Kerbside bins are being missed for collection in hundreds of Christchurch streets.
Throughout November, December, and January, 756 streets did not get their bins emptied on the designated day, according to the Christchurch City Council.
The worst of those months was January, when 370 streets had their bins missed – an average of about 17 streets being missed each working day.
The council’s kerbside collection contractor, Waste Management, has a contractual target to miss less than an average of 1.5 streets per working day throughout a month. If a bin is missed, it is expected to be collected by the end of the next working day.
The council's resource recovery manager Ross Trotter said in a statement that the reason for the missed bins was “resourcing due to driver shortages”. He did not elaborate further.
Amalgamated Workers’ Union assistant secretary Lindsay Chappell said the pay for drivers was OK, but the issue was excessive hours.
Chappell said Waste Management was introducing new drivers to the industry, but they were not lasting because of the long hours. Continue reading here.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
.
Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
-
85.5% Yes
-
13.4% No
-
1.2% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Railing planters
To gain extra growing space, make and hang these easy-to-build planters on almost any wooden fence or deck railing. Use Resene FX Blackboard Paint so you can easily identify what plants are in each. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.