Save money and downsize
Published on 12 May 2025
Is your red bin less full since the rollout of the green waste service?
Council is reminding residents that along with rates being due at the end of May, there is also the opportunity to downsize the red-lidded general waste bin and save money on waste collection for the coming year.
Mayor Cr Steve Rabie said Council had been working hard to minimise costs for residents across the board.
“Every dollar in our budget is considered carefully. The income we get for rates goes toward the critical services Council runs. Just as we work hard to get the best bang for your buck across all of our services, we know every dollar counts and finding ways to save money on your rates is important.
“One way is to sign up for email rates and save on print and postage fees. Another is to downsize your bin.
“Council would like to thank the community for the effort of separating waste carefully, which helps reduce contamination charges applied by our waste processors, meaning a better deal with your rates.
“Given people are using their recycling and FOGO bins carefully and we have low contamination rates, this means red general waste bins are probably less full. If this is the case for your household, maybe you should think about going to a smaller red bin and saving money next year.
“If you don’t have a FOGO green bin service and want one, there is still time to express interest and sign up for a FOGO bin, noting a 240 litre green bin costs less than a red bin. We’re getting a lot of good feedback from people who are finding it works well for them.
“We’d like to take this opportunity to remind people that there are lots of options to make it easier to pay your rates. You can pay weekly from BPAY if that suits you best. We offer fortnightly direct debits and other methods of payment that might make it easier. We have a financial counselling service and through that service, you may be eligible for special consideration due to financial hardship to get you through,” said Cr Rabie.
“Don’t stay quiet if you need help. Reach out and we will work with you as best we can.”
If you wish to decrease your red bin size this May, or request additional red, yellow, or green lidded bins, you can do so by accessing Council’s online bin request form or by contacting Council on 5775 8555.
If you would like to downsize your bin or if you would like to discuss how to pay your rates, please contact Council on 03 5775 8555.