The waste collection challenges and safety concerns regarding Buena Vista Avenue, Denistone have been ongoing since the 90’s without long term resolution.

Council’s waste collection contractors' health and safety representative declared the site a safety risk on 22 June 2024. This enables the waste collection contractors to refuse service to the street at any time unless reasonable efforts are made to mitigate this matter.

Council has previously endorsed similar signage along other narrow streets in the Ryde LGA. For example, signs have been successfully installed and achieved improved safety and waste collection outcomes at Constitution Road Service Road, Deborah Place, Fay Place, Flinders Road and more.

Council’s waste collection contractor uses a fleet of heavy rigid vehicles to ensure we achieve operational efficiencies and best practice waste management.

Currently, smaller waste collection vehicles are not accessible or suitable for waste collection at Buena Vista Avenue, Denistone. Smaller waste collection vehicles are usually slightly narrower in width (approximately 30 cm). This would not sufficiently relieve the waste collection issues or safety concerns.

Reversing the road's direction was proposed as a solution in 1996 but was not approved due to objections from residents. Residents along the high side of Buena Vista raised concerns about the positioning of their driveways.

It is illegal to park on the nature strip. The nature strip is not designed for parking and is preserved for access to infrastructure and street planting. Parking on the nature strip can also impact on the safety of pedestrians.

Additionally, half parking still obstructs the waste vehicle as it does not provide the minimum width clearances required.

The widening of Buena Vista Avenue (one-way section) to improve the safety of manoeuvring for garbage trucks and other large vehicles, would require extensive civil works. Based on an independent assessment, this project is expected to cost a minimum of $1.65M. Council currently does not have the funding available to deliver this project.