Nillumbik keeps fortnightly red bins after weekly Victorian proposal

Nillumbik residents will retain fortnightly red-bin collections under the council’s preferred model, which it is defending against a Victorian Opposition proposal for mandatory weekly residual-waste collections across the state. The council has operated the service for approximately 23 years.

The existing system also includes fortnightly recycling and weekly food and garden organics, or FOGO, collections. Residents needing more capacity can pay for an optional weekly red-lid collection or a larger red-lid bin.

Nillumbik Shire Council will write to the Victorian Opposition’s shadow minister for local government and environment, outlining its waste-reduction, recycling and composting programs, as well as community feedback indicating substantial support for the current service model.

The council will also argue against a one-size-fits-all approach to waste reform and support changes that improve recycling, resource recovery and environmental outcomes.

The Opposition proposal includes extending rate-capping arrangements to municipal waste-service charges, along with reviews of the landfill levy and the Container Deposit Scheme. Nillumbik opposed applying rate-capping to waste charges where it could prevent the council from recovering the full cost of waste and resource-recovery services.

The optional weekly red-bin service remains available to residents at an additional cost. The council’s position was considered as urgent business at its 25 August meeting and will now be put to the Victorian Opposition.

The broader proposal would affect councils across Victoria, while Nillumbik is arguing that waste services should reflect local needs, preferences and circumstances.