Brimbank’s waste and recycling service will remain unchanged for now, while Council continues to evaluate the best way to roll out the Victorian Government’s four-bin waste and recycling service model.
At its Council Meeting on 19 July, Council received the results of extensive community consultation on the State Government’s waste and recycling reforms. Consultation included a community survey online and in-person, focus groups and local shopping centre engagement with residents.
Council’s opt-in green waste service changed this month as part of the reforms. From 1 July, users of the green waste service can now add food scraps to this bin. Council will receive a further report about options to extend this service to all residents by July next year.
Council also agreed to delay the introduction of a new separate glass collection service until the impacts of the proposed State Government’s Container Deposit Scheme are better known.
The survey results show:
- 53 % see the community benefit of a four-bin waste and recycling service
- 41 % believe it is not good for the community
- 62 % believe it will not suit their household needs.
The main concerns expressed were about garbage bin size, collection frequency, cost, contamination concerns and odour issues.
While the community feedback raised concerns about changing to a 4-bin residential kerbside waste and recycling model at this stage, it was identified as the best option for cost and environmental impact.
Quotes to be attributed to Brimbank Mayor Cr Jasmine Nguyen:
“Waste and recycling collection is a service that almost all residents in Brimbank use. It is essential that Council gets it right for residents’ needs and the environment when we introduce any changes.
“This approach addresses the community’s feedback. This will impact the speed of the change. But the consultation results also shows that residents want to reduce landfill and respond to the climate emergency. However, they want a waste and recycling service that supports their needs.
“We all have an important role to play to stop the very real threats of the climate emergency. The recent move to adding food to Council’s optional green waste service is a step in the right direction.”
