Two weeks ago, people started noticing the waste collection trucks operating back at those times near schools.
This week, several concerned people contacted The Herald about the reappearance of waste trucks at peak times near schools and pre-schools.
Disappointment and horror has been expressed on social media.
Concerned mother Renee Blazey asked the council why rubbish trucks were still near schools at peak traffic school times.
“At 3pm today (Tuesday) I was driving along Sheehan Street to pick up my daughter from Central School and I was surprised and actually quite annoyed to see the rubbish truck doing its run on Whitaker St near Central School, with lots of small children around walking home from school! What the heck? (With only one man on the truck). This is not acceptable.”
Carla’s parents Fiona and Dion, and sisters Bella and Willa, are devastated and heartbroken by the loss of their precious little girl.
Fiona Neems said this week she saw the recycling truck was over their driveway at 3.18pm, with children walking past, only 450 metres from school.
“What happened to the claim in the paper on May 17 — ‘Today the council issued a media release, saying it is working with Waste Management to maintain roadside rubbish and recycling collection services to the quality and standard expected by the Gisborne community’.”
Where was the corrective action from these reviews? Or was it all swept under the carpet, she asks.
Another concerned mother, Fiona Charrington, said a rubbish truck was seen doing a run up and down Whitaker Street on Tuesday at about 3pm.
“I feel, as a mother of two primary-age children who both go to Central, that this is just not good enough after the tragic accident that happened only two months ago, ending the life of Carla Neems.
“Some thing needs to be done. The rubbish truck that was seen only had one operator also. As a community we need these rubbish trucks to not be able to do their runs around schools at 9am or 3pm.”
Rubbish and recycling trucks have also been seen passing Ilminster Intermediate, Te Wharau School and Rutene Road kindergarten, while parents and young ones were trying to cross that busy road.
“At the very least, the council risk management systems should dictate that this does not happen,” one man said.
Patrol dutyA Central School teacher said she was on patrol duty after school at 3pm and two rubbish/recycling trucks were going down Whitaker St.
“It didn’t matter which way the kids went, they would be passing a rubbish truck! Unacceptable,” she said.
Yesterday, GDC chief executive Nedine Thatcher Swann responded to media and social media.
“We understand that Waste Management has instructed its drivers to avoid congested areas such as schools at start and finish times.
“The council has instructed Waste Management to continue to ensure its drivers avoid collecting outside schools at peak traffic times.”
Because of ongoing investigations, the council was unable to comment any further.
“But we wish to assure people we are taking all possible steps to ensure the safety of the community,” she said.
This statement was met with indignation.
Kristina Pinto said it was not really a satisfactory answer.
“You ‘will assure us’ or you are assuring us that you are taking measures? I can imagine that it is not easy re-scheduling the rubbish collection to keep out of peak hours around schools, but I also believe it should be possible. Hopefully, this will be taken seriously and changed permanently,” she said.
UnacceptablePeter Murphy said it was totally unacceptable.
“This carry-on just shows a total disregard for any best-practice health and safety.”
It was a council contractor, paid for by rates from ratepayers, he said.
Teresa Phillips said she asked the council the same question almost a month ago.
“Right on school finish time, outside Te Wharau School. As of yet, still waiting on a reply. Very disappointing, “looking” like they are making a change.”
Carla’s parents feel someone should be accountable for the GDC stated corrective actions that have not been followed through and audited. They are extremely disappointed in the council and stand in solidarity with the Gisborne community.
Mr Neems said his expectation of the Mayor was to be the conduit between the family and the council, yet he had not seen Mayor Meng Foon up his driveway once. But the family was pleased yesterday when deputy mayor Rehette Stoltz visited the family.
Nonetheless, the family is not impressed with the council management.
“GDC systems are inadequate with the solid waste department under-performing under an under-performing CEO,” Mr Neems said.
