Community
10 April, 2026
Community to fight against Bealiba's impending ‘Trash Triangle’
Council has suggested it may close transfer stations in Bealiba, Dunolly and Talbot - and the people aren't having it.
BEALIBA residents are gearing up to show their local shire they won’t let their transfer station close without a fight.
A move that could result in “the golden triangle to become the triangle of trash”.
A town meeting has been set for later this month after Central Goldfields Shire Council announced proposed cuts it would be making in its 2026/27 budget, resulting in “$3.2 million in savings to counter low revenue growth, rate capping and rising expenses”.
This included the ending the Community Grants Program, selling surplus land and proposed closure of the waste transfer stations at Bealiba, Dunolly and Talbot.
And residents aren’t having it.
“Emotions are running hot and high and the people aren’t having it,” Bealiba transfer station and resident Warren ‘Wozza’ Giles said.
“If we were to lose this station, we will have people paying about $80 to travel extra distances and pay upward of $230 just to take their rubbish further. It’s a joke.”
And Dunolly residents aren’t happy either
“This should never have been floated as an idea, the transfer stations are one of the few services delivered to the rural ratepayers,” Dunolly resident Raymond Sexton said.
Maryborough’s Dave Hendrickson, who was behind the petition to keep VicRoad in Maryborough, has joined this fight, calling the extra travel from closing these stations would cause “ridiculous”.
“Our bushes will end up as the new rubbish disposal place of choice, for people who do the right thing from Bealiba, they will have a 100km round trip to go to the Carisbrook transfer Station,” he said.
Council chief executive officer Peter Harriott said drastic action was needed to prevent the Council incurring an ongoing deficit and low cash-based budgets.
“These decisions will not be easy, but are necessary to restore financial sustainability, renew deteriorating assets, and preserve essential community services.”
Mr Giles has headed up organising a town meeting that will be held at the Bealiba Town Hall from 6.30pm on April 13.
“We will use this opportunity to take people through the possible scenarios, step-by-step and see what next movements will be,” Mr Giles said.
“We will fill out a form that will be sent to the Auditor General.
“Residents will have their voices heard. We will also not be paying the rates for the station because we refuse to pay for services we’re not getting.”
Read More: Dunolly