Halt called until more clarity on kerbside collection

Published on 04 May 2026

Loddon Shire Council will delay adding any more extra bins to its kerbside collection service due to a range of concerns about Victorian Government proposed service standards.

Council will write to the Minister for Local Government calling on the State Government to finalise its long overdue standards and regulations for the service as well as asking it to explore alternative options for collections – while reinforcing Council’s concerns that the proposed model will drive increased costs and place additional pressure on Council’s budget and household rates.

At present Council provides a two-bin service, collecting general waste weekly and recycling fortnightly, also providing annual hard waste collection, tip vouchers and green waste receival and glass drop off at its transfer stations.

However, all local government areas in Victoria are required to provide all households with a four-stream kerbside collection service by July 2027.

Loddon Shire Mayor Dan Straub said Council was cautious about committing to further service changes without clarity, given the potential financial and environmental implications for both Council and residents.

“Council has decided to delay implementation of the four-bin system until the service standards are finalised by the State Government, and even after this it is expected to take 18 months to plan and implement the system,” he said.

“Implementing these extra bins without clear guidance risks over or underservicing households, with the financial risk that brings.”

The need for a glass bin has been questioned by 34 Victorian Local Government Authorities, including Loddon Shire, given the success of the Container Deposit Scheme, and this advocacy group believes it would be instead better to expand the Scheme, as has happened, or is happening, in other states.

Cr Straub said it was difficult for Council to explain and justify a commitment to a change in kerbside service standards for the Loddon community based only upon a draft document.

“The final service standards were initially due to be released in December 2024 and have been delayed initially to April 2025 and then March 2026,” he said.

“It is also concerning that a metropolitan-focused solution is being applied to rural and regional areas with little regard for non-metropolitan issues and alternate solutions, and the resulting costs that will be imposed on the Loddon community.

“Councils require the flexibility to tailor their waste services to best suit their unique issues and community needs.”