Operation Lockatoo is proceeding in Lorne.
Following successful trials, Surf Coast Shire Council is fitting lid mechanisms to residential bins across the town to help prevent cockatoo foraging which spreads litter and can impact the birds’ health.
All FOGO bins with lime green lids, recycling bins with yellow lids and landfill bins with bright red lids will be fitted with either a Litter Lock or Bin M8 device from early November.
The mechanisms help prevent cockies from opening the bin lids and foraging contents, but automatically disengage during collection.
Fittings will be completed on a street-by-street basis across coming months. People should put bins out as usual for Monday and Tuesday collections, excepting public holidays, but leave them out until 3.30pm on Tuesdays for the mechanism-fitting team.
People will not be able to choose which type of lid mechanism goes on their bins, or make special appointments to have their mechanisms fitted.
“We are pleased to be at this rollout stage and look forward to the successfully trialled mechanisms helping to deny cockies access to our residential bins,” Cr Gary Allen said.
“Special thanks to all residents who participated in the trial and provided valuable feedback, and to the mechanism designers who collaborated with the Council on their designs.
“We encourage residents to help ensure that the fitting rollout runs smoothly. People who have downloaded Council’s SCRRApp waste app will be able to receive notification when locks will be fitted in their area.”
More than 500 residential bins have been fitted with a range of lid mechanisms during trials in Lorne. Time periods allowed for a number of collection cycles testing each device.
Feedback from residents, Lorne Men’s Shed members, collection contractors and Council officers contributed to overall evaluations, looking at factors including performance of the devices, behaviour of cockatoos and volumes of public litter caused by cockatoo interference.
Complaints about public litter diminished significantly during trials.
The Litter Lock was developed by Torquay innovator Colin Cox, supported by business partners Jayson Moran and Joe Mawson, and the Bin M8 was developed by Macedon Ranges innovator Ronald Howard.
During Operation Lockatoo Litter Locks and Bin M8s will replace other devices fitted during the trial, as well as home-made mechanisms, but functioning gravity mechanisms will remain.
Litter Locks and Bin M8s fitted for the trial will also remain.
Lid mechanisms will not be fixed to bins with damaged lids or bodies, or to landfill bins which are not fitted with bright red lids. People with damaged bins or seeking changeovers to bright red lids can contact Council via info@surfcoast.vic.gov.au or 5261 0600 to organise free repair or replacement.
Council will continue to work alongside a range of community members and local groups to resolve challenges presented by pest cockatoo behaviour.
More information on Operation Lockatoo can be found via surfcoast.vic.gov.au/binlock
