Dunedin city councillors who last week listened to seven hours of public submissions on the city's proposed new kerbside collection service, will meet again today to deliberate on what they have heard.
They are also expected to decide on a final recommendation to be presented to the next full meeting of the city council for approval.
However, Cr Andrew Noone, the chairman of the kerbside working party, last week confirmed delays in staging a public hearing for submissions meant the entire process was now six weeks behind schedule.
That meant it was doubtful that the council could have a new system ready to launch by next October when the existing collection system of black bags and blue recycling bins expires.
Cr Noone said rolling over the existing contract was an option, but one likely to result in an "upward movement" in the price paid by the council.
The council has already selected option C as its preferred choice for kerbside collection, with black bags retained for rubbish and blue bins for glass, and a new wheelie bin - or a list of alternatives - introduced for other recyclables.
The system would cost an estimated $70 per household annually and add 1.1% to city rates in 2010-11, while the cost of maintaining the status quo would rise from $35 per household this year to an estimated $50 per household in 2010-11.
It had been hoped to stage a public hearing for submissions on October 5, but difficulties co-ordinating councillors' schedules had resulted in the delay.
That meant councillors had missed out on making their recommendation to the last infrastructure services (IS) meeting on October 12, and the next full council meeting, scheduled to be held this afternoon.
Instead, they would have to select a recommendation to be presented for the next IS committee meeting on November 23, which would now go to the next full council meeting on December 14 for approval.
It had been expected a successful tenderer for the new system would be announced in February, with a lead-in time following to allow the new operator to launch the service in October.
Council city environment general manager Tony Avery said it would be "difficult" to get the tender confirmed within the existing timeframe.
The timetable for advertising tenders was set by the council.
It could be shortened depending on which system was selected and how much time companies needed to prepare a tender.
However, the eight-month lead-in time following the awarding of a tender was needed to allow the contractor to prepare for any new service, Mr Avery said.
"We certainly wouldn't want to rush it."
Councillors will discuss the timetable today.
