Community engagement on future rubbish collections closing soon

21 Apr 2026

Merri-bek City Council is seeking final community feedback as it plans to keep costs down for ratepayers and reduce waste sent to landfill by transitioning to fortnightly rubbish collections and offering residents a larger general rubbish bin from July 2027. 

Council will make a final decision about transitioning to fortnightly waste in June.  

The community engagement period will close on 26 April – this is final opportunity for residents to provide feedback on the proposed changes. 

While Merri-bek currently collects rubbish weekly, the municipality is proposing to follow 26 other Victorian councils that are already successfully operating under a fortnightly rubbish collection model. 

To support this transition, Merri-bek introduced weekly food and garden organics (FOGO) collections in 2023 as part of the four-bin rollout, helping significantly reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. 

Council is now undertaking its final phase of consultation to better understand how residents can be supported ahead of the proposed change.  

Why are we transitioning to fortnightly rubbish collections? 

Merri-bek has been progressively updating its kerbside waste services since 2022. This proposed change represents the last stage of that process. 

There are two key reasons for the transition

  1. Keeping costs low for ratepayers
    The cost of sending waste to landfill continues to rise each year. The Victorian Government’s landfill levy increases annually and charges councils per tonne of waste sent to landfill to discourage landfill use and fund recycling infrastructure.

    Moving to fortnightly general rubbish collections can help lower future collection and disposal costs, which are paid for by ratepayers through the waste charge.
  2. Increasing sustainability 
    Fortnightly rubbish collections help reduce the amount of food and garden organics sent to landfill and lower pollution. Currently, food waste makes up almost one third of the waste sent to landfill. When placed in the weekly FOGO bin instead, food waste is turned into compost for use on farms and in gardens. 

Learning from the trial 

Merri-bek has trialled fortnightly rubbish collections in parts of Hadfield, Brunswick and Brunswick West. 

Council recognises that some households generate more waste, including large families, households using incontinence products and those with young children in nappies. During the trial, the size of standard rubbish bins was increased and practical support and information were provided to participating households. 

While some participants found the change challenging and others adjusted quickly, trial results show households are placing more food waste into weekly FOGO bins, reducing overall landfill waste and increasing compost production. 

Final opportunity to provide your feedback 

Council wants to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible for everyone. This is the last opportunity for the community to tell us how we can best support residents if the proposed change goes ahead. 

Feedback can be provided in several ways: 

  • Call: 9240 1111 
  • Speak with Council staff at at our final pop-up at 12- 3pm on Saturday 25 April, Bonwick Street, Fawkner. 

Community feedback is open until 5pm, 26 April 2026.