Residents of Yarrawonga and the wider Moira Shire region are dismayed by the changes to come in December to the bin collection service with several saying that it will be a health and environmental hazard.
With the red landfill bin moving from a weekly collection to fortnightly with the introduction of a purple glass bin, several residents are concerned about the smell that will infiltrate the town as well as their limited use of the glass specific bin.
Several local personal carers say they are concerned for their elderly clients who use sanitary items as well as families with young children in nappies.
“My main concern is the fact that the red bins are being emptied fortnightly and not weekly,” one of the concerned carers said.
“Some of the older Yarrawonga residents wear pull-up pads or big nappies for incontinence. By the end of the week those red bins are full, heavy and smell.
“Also, families that have younger children in nappies have to be considered.
“As for the purple bin, most older people in the community don’t use glass items as they are a hazard in the home if dropped and broken.
“Some older residents have said they will start to put the rubbish in the bins down the street when it gets too full.
“That's going to be great in the summer and heat, can you imagine the smell? Not sure the tourists will like walking down the smelly street!”
Despite the change in red bin collection frequency, residents originally believed that charges would apply if residents wished to upgrade to a larger bin, however it has been confirmed that this is not the case in every situation.
As well as the smell that many believe will permeate from the bins and the unlikely use of the purple bins for older residents, carers say they are concerned how heavy the elderly’s bins will become over a two-week period, making it hard for them to put out for collection.
“The weight of the red bins at the end of the two weeks will be much too heavy for them to drag out onto the street especially if they also use a wheely walker,” the carer said.
“I asked at the shire hall what can be done, and their answer is they can ask for a bigger red bin to replace the smaller one at no cost to them as they can apply for a Medical Exemption but they have to fill in some paperwork and submit it to the shire office.
“All in all the red bin should be still collected weekly as it will turn into a health/environment hazard to our community.”
Moira Shire Council said the glass bin delivery started in mid-October with the first collection to be in December.
From February, red and yellow bins will be collected fortnightly, green will be weekly, and purple bins monthly.
According to council, residents cannot opt out of the glass bin service, even should they not wish to use it.
The installation of purple bins is a requirement for all councils under the Victorian Government’s four-bin system, legislated in the Circular Economy Act 2021.
Key to the policy is the diversion of 80 per cent of material away from landfill by 2030.
The Moira Shire website also provides advice for the storing of your landfill and organic bins, stating to try storing your bin in the shade out of direct sun light, if possible, use an odour neutralising product such as bicarbonate soda in your bin.
Moira Shire is offering residents a cloth nappy and reusable sanitary product rebate of 50% of the purchase price with a maximum refund of $150.
This is to assist in the reduction of waste to landfill.
Council answers questions on glass bins
Will purple bins be made available for both residential and rural households?
“Moira Shire Council is delivering close to 14,000 bins to all households with a yellow mixed recycling bin.
“This includes residential and rural households.”
Are the purple bins at any charge to residents?
“There is no charge for the purple glass bins this financial year.
“Fees for the following years will be considered as part of the budget process for 2025-26.”
Will rates for red bins be reduced following the reduction in collection frequency?
“Charges for kerbside services will be reviewed during the 2025-26 budget process.
“By making full use of the new service frequencies and reducing items sent to landfill, residents can help reduce the overall cost to council, which will be factored into future budget considerations.
“The council is required to pay a landfill levy to the state government for every tonne of waste that is disposed of at the Cobram Landfill.
“Currently this amount is $66.30 per tonne and in 2025-26 it is increasing to $84.78.
“The state government has mandated an 80 per cent diversion rate from landfill and to attain this diversion rate, data from other councils shows that a fortnightly waste/weekly organics service is the most efficient way to achieve this.”
The Moira Shire Council’s Waste Info app can be downloaded via Google Play or the App Store. Find more information on the Waste Info app at www.moira.vic.gov.au/Residents/Environment/The-world-of-waste/Kerbside-collection/Waste-Info-App