Shire of Murray declines three-bin model for a further three years despite backlash from State Government
The Shire of Murray has knocked back introducing the Food Organics, Garden Organics bin system until at least 2027 despite pushback from the State Government.
The government has encouraged councils to implement the FOGO system by 2025 to reduce waste management, boost local jobs, increase household recycling rates, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The State Government’s Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030 report promised financial support to make it a cost-competitive option for councils, however, shire officers said it would still be more expensive than a two-bin system.
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The shire will be sticking to a two-bin system after a feasibility study showed it was the least expensive option per household, with the three-bin FOGO system the most expensive at an increased operational cost of about $108 per household in the first year.
The study came after the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation declined to endorse the shire’s waste plan as it was inconsistent with the key objectives of its Waste Strategy 2030, specifically the lack of commitment to implement FOGO by 2025.
This prompted the shire to undertake a feasibility study but following the results councillors have still not backed the three-bin system at least until another review in 2027-28.
An officer’s report said this decision was made due to several unknown variables including “the introduction of the landfill levy to the Peel region, introduction of a waste-to-energy plant levy, the impending release of the Waste Strategy 2030 review and future funding opportunities which will have an impact on the financial delivery of the waste service”.
The 3-bin FOGO system. Credit: City of Melville/City of Melville
The kerbside collection contract also does not provide for FOGO collection with rates for those services set to be included in the next contract commencing on July 1, 2028.
A further review of the introduction of FOGO will be done during the 2027-28 financial year.
The decision comes after the Shire of Murray knocked back an offer of funding from the State Government in 2020 to implement the FOGO system, claiming significant costs would be passed onto ratepayers.