Don’t forget to have your say on our recycling and waste collections

Just two weeks remain for you to have your say to help shape the future of our kerbside waste and recycling collections. 

Under the Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021, all Victorian councils must introduce a food organics and garden organics (FOGO) collection for all households by 2030 and a separate glass recycling collection by 2027. 

In line with the changes, the City of Ballarat is now reviewing its kerbside collections and would like to first hear feedback from our community. 

More than 1,000 residents have so far completed the short survey. The results will inform the draft plan, which will take into consideration the range of services you would like to see, while also considering the frequency, convenience and cost effectiveness of kerbside collections. 

Some of the questions the City of Ballarat is asking our community to guide future decision-making and planning on kerbside services as part of our Draft Kerbside Transition Plan include: 

• Would you like to see a new purple-lid kerbside bin for glass or do you prefer the Pass on Glass drop-off system? 

• Are you likely to place your food waste in the green waste bin as part of a new combined food organics and garden organics (FOGO) kerbside collection? 

• Are your bins a good size and how often would you like to see your waste and recycling collected? 

City of Ballarat Mayor, Councillor Des Hudson encouraged residents to get involved and have their say before the survey closes on Sunday 18 December 2022. 

“How we sort our waste and recycling affects almost every single person in the municipality,” he said. 

“This is your chance to have your say. We want to hear your preferences and feedback. 

“Your input will help us improve our waste and recycling, which reduces the amount of recyclable waste that goes to landfill.” 

Residents can pick-up a survey at City of Ballarat sites, including Customer Service and at Ballarat Libraries, or can complete the survey online at mysay.ballarat.vic.gov.au. 

The Draft Kerbside Transition Plan will go before Council for consideration early next year. 

If endorsed, the draft plan will then go out for additional community consultation before the final Kerbside Transition Plan is presented to Council. 

Once adopted, the City of Ballarat will prepare a timeline for the introduction of the four waste and recycling stream collection service which includes glass, mixed recyclables and FOGO.