Changes to kerbside bin collection services are on the way for Murrindindi Shire, with a new Policy outlining details of the four-bin service, including collection frequencies, mandatory and optional services and how waste and recycling charges will be applied.
These changes are required under new rules by the Victorian Government and aim to enhance waste management practices, reduce landfill waste, and minimise greenhouse gas emissions. Murrindindi Shire Council will join all other Victorian councils in introducing a four-bin kerbside collection service, to commence in July 2025, as per the new Kerbside Collection Services Policy adopted at the 28 August Council Meeting.
The key elements of the four-bin service have already been determined, including a fortnightly general waste (red lid) and mixed recycling (yellow lid), weekly food and garden organics (green lid) and monthly glass recycling (purple lid) collection, the Policy provides more detail on these services and what they mean for residents across the Shire.
Under the Policy, residents living in more densely populated and urban areas will receive the four-bin service, while those living in rural areas along Council's collection route will receive a three-bin service, with the food and garden organics (green lid) service being optional. Facilities will also be provided at Council's Resource Recovery Centres to allow residents who don't receive a kerbside collection service to recycle and dispose of their waste.
Council has also proposed a series of extensions to the collection routes across the Shire, where the service is currently not available, which will bring the services out to more residents. All commercial or industrial properties will be able to opt in to using whichever services suit their needs.
While exact charges can't be provided until Council develops the Annual Budget for 2025/26, a model for cost recovery is outlined in the Policy.
Council sought community feedback on the draft Policy from April to June 2024 and received over 200 responses. In general, input gathered from the community indicated broad support for the mandatory service areas and route extensions. Community feedback influenced two key changes to the Policy, including allowances for the disposal of additional volumes of general waste for families that need to dispose of nappies or incontinence products and the option of shared bins for multi-unit dwellings.
The Victorian State Government's Proposed Household Waste and Recycling Service Standards 2024 (the Service Standards) aim to ensure kerbside collection services are provided consistently across the state, in particular placing emphasis on providing a four-bin kerbside service to all households where possible. The Service Standards are anticipated to be finalised by the end of 2024 and Council will review its Kerbside Collection Services Policy once the Service Standards are finalised, to confirm it complies with the revised standards.
