Rubbish collections across parts of Western Australia could be disrupted due to the fleet shutdown of one of Australia’s largest waste management companies.
The decision by Transpacific to recall and inspect all of its Cleanaway trucks came after one of its trucks smashed into three stationary cars waiting at traffic lights in Adelaide on Monday afternoon, killing two people.
A spokeswoman for the West Australian Local Government Association said a number of metropolitan and regional councils use Cleanaway and would be affected by the company's stoppage.
Cleanaway has services operating in Bassendean, Bayswater, Belmont, Gosnells, Kalamunda, Mundaring, South Perth, Victoria Park, Cottesloe, Rockingham, Armadale, Joondalup, East Fremantle, Mandurah and Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
Local rubbish collection disrupted as Transpacific ground their entire national fleet following fatal crash
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August 20, 2014
A statement on the City of Joondalup's website said: "The city advises residents to put their bins out on their normal waste collection day however there will be some delays.
"As trucks have been cleared they will return to normal service and the city appreciates the patience of residents that are affected."
A similar statement on the City of Belmont's website said rubbish collections could be disrupted throughout the next few days.
"The City of Belmont advises residents to leave their bins out on the appropriate day and Cleanaway will recommence collection as soon as possible," the statement said.
On Tuesday, police said they were investigating whether brake failure had caused the crash in SA that sparked the shutdown of its fleet.
The 56-year-old male and 41-year-old female drivers of two of the cars died, while a 48-year-old female driver and the 28-year-old male truck driver remain in a critical condition at Royal Adelaide Hospital.
A statement by Transpacific on its website said the “voluntary grounding” of its entire fleet was a reaction to the “tragic accident”.
Transpacific chief executive Robert Boucher said the decision had been made “in order to conduct our own internal investigation and satisfy ourselves, the police and regulators of the roadworthiness of our fleet and the adequacy of our maintenance program.”
“This is not a decision we have taken lightly, however we believe it is the right thing to do given the serious nature of Monday’s accident,” he said.
“The driver had undergone thorough safety training prior to being cleared to drive our truck. He remains in hospital in a critical condition. Again, we reiterate that our thoughts and sincere condolences are with the family and friends of the deceased.”
He said Transpacific would continue to gather evidence and cooperate with the police and regulators.
