12 Jun 2026

Merri-bek City Council resolved to transition to a municipality-wide fortnightly rubbish service from July 2027 at a Council Meeting on Wednesday evening.  

Council will implement several changes to the fortnightly rubbish transition to make it easier for residents. These changes are a direct result of community feedback, and include the following:  

• Increasing the standard rubbish bin to 140 litres, up from 120 litres. 

• Increasing the maximum volume for rubbish to 480 litres per fortnight, up from 360 litres. 

• Providing ad hoc rubbish collections for a fee on an as-needed basis. 

• Introducing a Pensioner Concession, applicable to rubbish and FOGO bins, to replace and expand the former hardship concession (eligibility aligned with the Municipal Rates Concession). 

• Expanding the large family concession to be a “larger household” concession, with any households with six or more residents eligible for a free rubbish upsize.  

• Introducing a concession for households that foster multiple animals on an ongoing basis (three or more animals). 

• Providing weekly rubbish collection service, with adjusted charge, for large apartment buildings (e.g. 20+ households) where Council deems that fortnightly rubbish is not viable. 

• Exploring further measures that could make fortnightly waste collection easier for households, including paper bags for FOGO caddies, and potential nappy recycling and reuseable nappy options. 

• Expanding waste education and outreach programs to support community awareness and behaviour change.  

• It is costing more to send waste to landfill every year. The transition to fortnightly rubbish collection will avoid food waste going to landfill and save ratepayers at least $16 million over the next decade when compared to a weekly rubbish service. 

This decision follows several stages of community consultation, including an engagement period conducted earlier this year, and a trial held in parts of Hadfield and Brunswick West. It is the last of three significant steps Council committed to in 2021 – including bookable hard waste, a four-bin service, and a fortnightly rubbish service (subject to the outcome of a Trial and engagement – and this final Council decision). 
 
Consultation results from earlier this year showed that sentiments towards the transition to fortnightly waste collection varied, with residents highlighting the support they value most, including different bin sizes, clearer hygiene advice and bin‑day reminders. 

Merri-bek City Council Mayor Nat Abboud said Council would support residents throughout the implementation of fortnightly waste across the municipality in July 2027.   
 
“From increasing the standard rubbish bin to 140 litres and options for ad hoc collections on a weekly basis, we have heard feedback from residents and are taking action to support our community through this transition,” she said.  
 
“Together, we can keep costs down for ratepayers and reduce the environmental impacts of landfill.”  
 
For more information, visit Fortnightly rubbish collections | Conversations Merri-bek