Moorabool Shire councillors have voted to introduce a series of subsidised waste services in the 2026-27 financial year, going beyond the original recommendation presented to them on Wednesday 3 December.
The original agenda item only proposed councillors note and consider a detailed report into possible subsidised waste initiatives.
Councillors instead resolved to adopt a package of new subsidised services aimed at improving access to disposal options and reducing illegal dumping across the municipality.
The alternative motion was brought forward by Cr Sheila Freeman, who said residents expressed “frustration” and “confusion” since previous subsidised green and hard waste services had been removed by council the previous year.
“This alternate recommendation responds to that community sentiment in a balanced and responsible way,” she said.
Under the adopted plan, reidents will gain access to several new subsidised services from July 2026, including two cubic meters of hard-waste drop-off at transfer stations each year at no charge, one month of free green-waste disposal annually, and a half-price mattress disposal month.
A targeted kerbside hard-waste collection for elderly or mobility-limited residents, capped at 500 households, will also be introduced.
“This ensures we do not leave behind those who physically cannot access transfer stations,” Cr Freeman said.
Councillors in favour argued residents have expressed strong support for improved access to disposal services, with more than 800 submissions received during previous waste strategy consultation.
Cr Freeman said the adopted measures strike a balance between community need and affordability.
“Importantly, this motion simply places these services in the 2026-27 draft budget, giving the community the opportunity through submissions and consultation to tell us whether these offerings reflect their needs and expectations,” Cr Freeman said.
“This addresses one of the single biggest contributors to illegal dumping.”
However others like Cr Tom Sullivan disagreed.
“…it assumes that all the illegal dumping in this shire is done by Moorabool residents. If you take that through to its logical conclusion, I would suggest that’s not the case,” he said.
“I’ll also remind you that there’s no such thing as a free service.”
The new services will begin rolling out from 1 July 2026.
