THERE will be a significant cost factor involved but Killarney needs to bite the bullet and provide underground storage facilities for unsightly refuse bins, it has been suggested.
Cllr John Joe Culloty said it must be considered in light of the fact that there is a large number of commercial premises operating in the town and a number of unsightly waste bins are visible in many areas.
“It’s going to cost money but we need to bite the bullet on this as there is no town in the country as important as Killarney,” he said.
Cllr Culloty urged Kerry County Council officials to seek a more effective system and he said he noticed, on Google, that there are a number of options available in relation to underground storage.
He said up to €11 million is being taken in by the council in rates in Killarney every year with an additional €820,000 in car parking charges and it was time the commercial sector was looked after in terms of adequate waste storage facilities.
The council said, however, that it was first and foremost an matter for the owner of the waste and the occupier of the premises to which the bin relates.
“All premises are required to have adequate storage areas for waste on their premises designed in at planning application stage,” the local authority stressed.
The council acknowledged that during the public consultation process prior to the implementation of the household and commercial waste bye-laws the matter of suitable storage was raised as an issue and the existing arrangements will be reviewed.
The new bye-laws, which come into force on April 1, will make it an offence to present waste for collection in a bin not fit for purpose and the overloading of bins will also be prohibited.
It will also be a requirement to have the bins in the centre of Killarney removed from the streets by 10.00am on the designated waste collection day.
Cllr Brendan Cronin said whatever about the bye-laws it is vital that the council works in association with the businesses and to come up with suggestions rather than leaving it to the commercial sector itself to do it all.
“We can’t go to businesses and start taking out the stick and beating the bottom. That’s not what I’m talking about,” he said.
© KillarneyToday.com is the 24/7 online news service provided by O’Mahony Media
Advertise to boost your business: Over 300,000 views every month. Over 20,000 followers on Facebook. Call 087-2229761
