Council commits to waste reduction program

The Garage Sale Trail will continue in the Charters Towers Region.

Council has signed on for another four years for the popular annual waste reduction program.

For one or two weekends every year residents in participating regions are encouraged to host a garage sale at home or online to help divert items ending up in landfill.

Councillor Alan Barr, whose portfolio includes Waste Management, said residents in the Charters Towers Region have embraced the concept.

“Last year hundreds of residents participated in the sale locally,” he said.

“It meant close to 3,500 kg of items were reused and sold on to new homes instead of ending up in our landfill.

“Over the course of the two-day event more than $11,000 changed hands with each seller making on average $465.”

Cr Barr said the Garage Sale Trail also had benefits for the community.

“More than 75 per cent of local participants said they felt more connected to the community after being involved in the event in some capacity.

“There were also an estimated 748 local community interactions over during the event, with each seller meeting on average 52 people,” he said.

The 2021 Garage Sale Trail will be happening again this year and is free for residents take part.

It’s scheduled to take place over two weekends on 13-14 and 20-21 November.