Thorsen Creek Landfill Schedule Change

The Central Coast Regional District has announced changes to scheduled landfill opening days.

PRESS RELEASE
Thorsen Creek Landfill Hours Changing January 1, 2010

Due to budget constraints and the lack of response to a recent call for proposals to operate the Thorsen Creek Waste and Recycling Centre, the Central Coast Regional District has announced changes to scheduled landfill opening days.

Effective January 1, 2010, openings will be reduced to two days per week from the current three. The landfill and recycling centre will now be open on Thursdays and Saturdays between the regular hours of 8:30 am to 5:30 pm but will no longer be open for receipt of any waste or recycling on Tuesdays.

“This was a difficult decision to make”, said Director Kevin O'Neill, CCRD Board
representative on solid waste matters. “We are absolutely committed to improving waste management and recycling at the site but we have to stay within the budget that is available and this seemed the least disruptive step to take at this time.”

Over the past year, CCRD has been working on substantial revisions to contract
obligations related to operation of the Thorsen Creek site. In preparation for a new contract period scheduled to begin January 1, 2010, a Request for Proposals was issued to the local community in November. No proposals were received, which has left the CCRD with the challenge of setting up interim arrangements for operating the landfilluntil a second call for proposals can be prepared.

Director O'Neill expressed disappointment that no local contractors came forward with proposals to operate the Thorsen Creek site. “With grant money already awarded to CCRD to bring power and water to the site and to construct a building so we can properly process recyclables, this is an exciting career opportunity for someone looking for steady part time self-employment”, said O'Neill. “We would prefer to let a contract locally but will have to solicit interest from outside the community if that's what it takes to get
someone who will do the job at a cost we can afford.”

Administrator Joy MacKay confirmed that the current priority is to get some interim arrangements in place for Saturday, January 2nd scheduled landfill day. The two day per week opening schedule at the Thorsen Creek Waste and Recycling Centre will remain in effect until further notice, but at least through the winter months of 2010.
                                                          
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