Waste Service Charge

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We're changing the way we charge for waste.  

Until now, waste charges have been included as part of the general rates. Separating waste charges from the general rates will bring us in line with all other Councils across Victoria.  

This change will see the cost of waste and recycling services removed from general rates and become a separate Waste Service Charge from July 2023. Ratepayers will notice the change when they receive their annual rates notice in August 2023. 

The amount of the separate Waste Service Charge will be decided with the 2023/24 Council Budget. The Proposed Budget is currently open to public feedback. Submissions are now open at Participate.Hume and close on Tuesday 30 May.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we need a separate waste charge?

Until now, you have paid for waste services as part of your general rates. This year, you’ll be able to see waste services as a separate, itemised charge on your rates notice.  

Having a separate waste charge allows us to be more transparent about our waste costs and give you a clearer picture of where your money is going.  

Due to increases in the Victorian Government waste levy and recycling processing fees, the costs of waste and recycling services have increased well above the rate cap. Additional Victorian Government reform means the costs will continue to increase as we roll out new services (such a universal kerbside Food and Garden Organics (FOGO) collection). Without a waste charge, we’re projecting a shortfall in excess of $100 million over the next 10 years.  

All of this means we need to change how we charge for our waste services now, so that these rising costs don’t have an impact on other essential services. Making this change will allow for a future-proofed, clean, thriving city.

How much will I pay?

The amount of the separate Waste Service Charge will be decided with the 2023/24 Council Budget. The Proposed Budget is currently open to public feedback here, closing on May 30. The proposed fees are listed there.

General rates will reduce as we remove the costs of waste and recycling and itemise them as two new line items: 

  • A kerbside waste fee, which covers bin collection and other household services, and  

  • A public waste fee, which covers the cost of keeping public spaces clean. This includes the removal of illegally dumped waste, collection of litter and recycling bins in public places, collection of litter from roadsides and reserves, and road and pavement sweeping.

What about the rate cap?

The rate cap introduced by the State Government does not apply to the Waste Service Charge. The amount of the Waste Service Charge will be decided during the annual Council budget process. The introduction of a Waste Service Charge is reviewed by the Essential Services Commission on behalf of the Victorian Government. The objective of this change is to recover the costs of waste which is an essential service for the community.

Is Hume the only council that has a separate waste charge?

No. Implementing a separate waste charge will bring us in line with all other councils in our state — all 79 Victorian councils already charge separate fees for their waste services and/or will be introducing it in their 2023/24 budgets.

Does this mean I'm paying for waste twice?

No. The cost of waste services will be removed from the general rates, and therefore your general rates will reduce. The Waste Service Charge will appear as two separate items on your rates notice: the kerbside waste fee and the public waste fee.

How have you consulted the community?

We received 2,263 survey responses from Hume residents in December 2021 as part of the development of our Waste & Resource Recovery Strategy. 57 per cent of residents were in support of a separate waste charge.

Can I provide feedback?

Yes. Hume ratepayers are invited to have their say as part of the community engagement process on the 2023/24 Council budget. Submissions are now open at Participate.Hume and close on Tuesday 30 May.

When will I see this change on my rates notice?

The Waste Service Charge will apply from 1 July 2023 and will appear on the 2023/24 annual rates notice issued from August 2023.

Will my waste services change?

No. Implementing a separate Waste Service Charge will not change any of our waste services.

I already pay extra for a FOGO bin. Will I need to pay the separate waste charge?

Currently, FOGO (food and garden organics) bins are an opt-in service at an extra cost. In line with the Victorian Government’s Recycling Victoria policy and action plan, this service will be provided to all households in 2024. From that time, it will no longer be an extra cost, but will be included in the kerbside waste service charge.

I don’t use Council’s kerbside waste service. Will I still need to pay the waste charge?

In some instances, Council cannot provide kerbside waste services. This includes some apartment complexes and vacant blocks of land. Where Council cannot provide its kerbside waste services, ratepayers will not have to pay the kerbside waste fee. However, like all ratepayers they will still be required to pay the public waste fee.

Will the Waste Service Charge increase every year?

The amount of the Waste Service Charge will be decided each year with the Council budget. The Essential Services Commission will review this and ensure we are only charging for the actual costs of waste services. If the cost to Council of waste and recycling continues to increase, the Waste Service Charge will reflect that.

   

 

 

 

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