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State Government landfill levies and rising fuel costs are driving increases in East Gippsland’s waste fees and charges in the 2026/27 Budget.
Mayor Cr Jodie Ashworth said Council has worked to keep costs as low as possible over the coming financial year but has faced significant external pressures.
Waste services cost approximately $15.6 million annually to operate, covering collection, transfer stations, processing, landfill and the mandatory EPA Victoria levy.
“Operational waste services are funded on a full cost-recovery basis, which means the cost of running the service is met through fees and charges,” Cr Ashworth said.
“We’re continuing to focus on reducing waste going to landfill and improving how we recover and reuse materials, but we can’t avoid the impact of State Government levies and other external costs.”
Cr Ashworth said fuel costs driven by conflict in the Middle East were having a significant impact, particularly given the size of the shire and the distances involved in delivering services.
“East Gippsland covers a vast geographic area with many small towns spread across long distances. Our trucks travel significant distances between towns, transfer stations and collection routes, and rising fuel prices directly increase the cost of collection and waste processing. Waste fees are increasing because it simply costs more to run the service – not because Council is making a profit. All revenue is reinvested directly into waste services,” Cr Ashworth said.
“This means that should the fuel price remain lower than forecast any savings will be carried forward to cover costs the following year.”
Higher government compliance and processing costs are also adding further pressure.
Council is continuing to invest in ways to keep waste fees down over the long term by improving efficiency and reducing reliance on landfill.
This includes upgrades to recycling systems, improvements to transfer stations, and better collection processes designed to recover more material and reduce disposal costs. Improvements to fleet capacity are also helping to reduce travel while increasing efficiency.
“We will again offer a free green waste disposal period later this year to support residents preparing their properties ahead of the fire season. A free green waste voucher will also be provided,” Cr Ashworth said.
“Ratepayers will also continue to receive a once-a-year hard waste disposal voucher on their rates notice. This allows free disposal of eligible household items such as old furniture, mattresses and bed bases, carpet and vinyl flooring and general bulky household waste at transfer stations.”
Residents can also help reduce their own waste costs by sorting materials correctly before arriving at transfer stations so staff can identify recyclables, green waste and general waste more accurately, ensuring it is charged at the lowest appropriate rate. Residents are encouraged to prioritise reuse, repair and recycling before disposal. These steps save money, reduce landfill, and help households avoid unnecessary fees.
Cr Ashworth said Council has actively campaigned against the introduction of an additional household glass bin, which would have added significant ongoing costs for residents.
“Our advocacy for a more efficient approach could save households around $27 per year,” Cr Ashworth said.
Council is supporting more cost-effective recycling solutions that avoid unnecessary new charges to households, including the Container Deposit Scheme which helps reduce waste costs while returning money directly to residents. Council is assisting with access to collection points, including at Mallacoota, to make it easier for residents to participate and save.