Waste & Recycling Changes
Published on 26 March 2026
Council endorses waste and recycling changes to support long‑term financial sustainability
Following comprehensive community engagement, Yarriambiack Shire Council has resolved to implement a series of changes to its waste and recycling services from 1 July 2026, with a strong focus on long‑term financial sustainability.
Engagement activities included a mail‑out to 3,765 ratepayers across the Shire, supported by social media, radio and newspaper advertising.
Mayor Cr Andrew McLean said “Council’s current waste and recycling services do not achieve full cost recovery”.
“At present, kerbside bin collection and transfer station operations are subsidised by other revenue sources, including rates,” Mayor McLean said.
“This cross‑subsidisation diverts funding away from essential services such as roads and infrastructure.”
Mayor McLean noted that rates and charges contribute only 42 per cent of Council’s total expenditure, meaning Council is heavily reliant on external funding such as the Federal Government’s Financial Assistance Grant and Roads to Recovery Program.
“Cross‑subsidisation is a significant issue when we are already required to do more with less,” Mayor McLean said.
“Funding has not increased in real terms over many years, yet the demands and compliance requirements placed on councils continue to grow.”
Council’s Long‑Term Financial Sustainability Review identified that Yarriambiack Shire Council is operating efficiently, with lean staffing levels and ongoing investment in technology to deliver efficiency gains. Despite this, waste and recycling remain a longstanding financial challenge due to the Shire’s small population, large geographic area and historically low-cost recovery.
As part of its Long‑Term Financial Plan assessment, Council undertook a comprehensive review of transfer station and waste management operations, including an analysis of associated fees and charges.
A widely promoted waste and recycling survey received 173 responses, representing 4.6 per cent of the mail‑out, with 95.4 per cent of recipients not responding. Council also considered feedback provided through Coffee with a Councillor sessions.
After reviewing all feedback, Council resolved to implement the following changes:
- A 10 per cent increase in residential and rural waste and recycling charges
- A 50 per cent increase in commercial waste and recycling charges
- An increase in the general waste charge at transfer stations to $45 per cubic metre
- Introduction of a fee‑for‑service hard waste/general waste collection for eligible residents from 1 July 2026, alongside a reduction in transfer station operating hours.
Councillors also reaffirmed a strategic position within Council’s Master Environment Strategy to reduce the number of transfer stations over time, due to the significant and increasing costs of meeting current and future compliance requirements.
Council further endorsed the decision to discontinue the free skip bin service previously provided to Patchewollock and Yaapeet, replacing it with a fee‑for‑service hard waste/general waste collection.
“These are extremely difficult decisions,” Mayor McLean said.
“We do not want to close transfer stations, and we are concerned about illegal dumping. However, we cannot continue operating in the same way and expect a different outcome. Services must be streamlined if Council is to remain financially sustainable.”
Council also resolved to permanently close the Yaapeet and Patchewollock transfer stations, with the aim of rehabilitating both sites in the next financial year.
Councillors also considered the future introduction of a Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) service. While acknowledging that not all residents support the service, Council noted that under the Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021, Victoria is transitioning to a mandated four‑stream household recycling system by 2027.
The four‑stream system includes:
- Food and Garden Organics (lime green lid)
- Glass (purple lid)
- Mixed Recycling (yellow lid)
- General Rubbish (red lid)
Once the Household Waste and Recycling Service Standard is finalised and in force, failure to comply will be an offence under section 69 of the Act.
Council endorsed implementing a 240‑litre FOGO bin on a fortnightly collection cycle from 1 July 2027, subject to final State Government regulations and service standards being legislated.
“We recognise the need to plan and budget for anticipated legislative changes,” Mayor McLean said.
“However, Council will not introduce this service unless it is legislated and required to do so.”
It is noted that the regulations and service standard were expected to be finalised in mid‑2025. As at March 2026, they remain pending Ministerial approval and commencement.
Residents can expect to receive further information via mail, newspapers, social media and Council’s website in the coming months as changes are implemented.
END OF RELEASE
Mayor Andrew McLean
Yarriambiack Shire Council