Council & Politics
5 August, 2026
Rates coming with waste bill up 17%
The council said the jump will cover an increase in kerbside bin collection costs, including fuel, labour and equipment expenses.
RESIDENTS will see a 17 per cent hike in waste charges when Northern Grampians Shire sends out rate notices in the next fortnight.
The council said the jump will cover an increase in kerbside bin collection costs, including fuel, labour and equipment expenses.
Kerbside garbage collection services will jump $86 to $371 while additional kerbside garbage collection services will rise $5 to $169.
Recycling collection services will drop $1 to $194 while St Arnaud’s organic collection will be $67, an increase of $15.
Mayor Karen Hyslop said annual waste charges would continue to rise in the following three budgets to cover operational cost increases, ongoing uncertainty around the cost of fuel, and the introduction of new government mandated services.
Under the Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021, councils must provide access to food organics and garden organics and glass recycling services by next year, creating a four-stream system in place of the current two-stream system.
Councils are resisting the introduction of glass recycling, wanting the container deposit scheme expanded and saying it better suits rural communities. Cr Hyslop said” “Unfortunately, there are additional charges coming as we look to meet the government’s mandate to introduce a four-stream waste and recycling system.
“Council is very mindful of the increased costs in waste and the knock-on impact on the waste charges. For example, council recently joined 38 other Victorian councils to advocate for a review of the mandated glass recycling service.
“Given the container deposit scheme, we think the glass service seems an unnecessary burden on ratepayers.
“Many councils throughout the state are also having to significantly increase waste charges to comply with the legislation.”
Cr Hyslop said council’s 2026/27 budget included a $340,000 allocation for the purchase of new bins ahead of the 2027 rollout.
“Council has decided to implement a staged increase to soften the impact, rather than introducing a full increase in a single financial year,” she said.
Council updated Waste Management Strategy 2020-30, which sets out how council will manage waste and recycling services across the shire.
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