The new contractor is a local firm that goes by the name of “Carrion Enterprises P/L” (very appropriate according to some of the wags around town).

The principals of the enterprise are David Barratt and Lisa Baker who also are the proprietors of Clover Hill Carpentry and Building.

According to the council notes in Wednesday’s Record, the new operators are “keen to get going and make things work”.

The operation was scheduled to be in operation in early September but a last minute hitch saw the previous tender winners, Mitton Brothers Earthmoving, withdraw from the contract.

Mitton Brothers Earthmoving took this action due to a legal opinion concerning “proposed liabilities to the contractor” that made the contractor’s risk position “untenable”.

Needless to say the council were disappointed (as stated in the councils working paper for October 09) at the late withdrawal of the original contractor after months of negotiations that had seemed to signal an imminent commencement of the new operations at the tip.

All previous unsuccessful tenders were also invited to apply.

However, the situation has been resolved with the awarding of a fresh tender to “Carrion P/L”.

The new contract is for a period of six months which will allow a review of the operating hours, along with other matters prior to a further contract being awarded for a longer period.

The new operating hours will still be in force for the new operators. They are:

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am till 4pm. It is also proposed that the tip will be manned however residents are advised that fees for domestic tipping will not be imposed at this stage, however commercial and industrial fees will apply.

A new method of disposal of garbage will also be implemented with most garbage being left at a drop of platform that will see a skip at the bottom of the platform collecting the waste and then transporting it to the tip area.

Users of the tip will not be allowed to drive to the edge of the tip area as is now the case and deposit their rubbish.

Also, recyclable material will be collected at the gate and placed in a holding shed for sale to the public and recyclable collection companies.

This operation is planned to extend the life of the present tip by a considerable time.

It will also be of great benefit to the environment and the town according to the council.