Weekly Rubbish Collection Promise by Victorian Liberals 2026

The Victorian Liberals have promised to restore weekly rubbish collection for all households if they win the November state election, a move that could reverse the growing trend of fortnightly bin services across the state. Opposition leader Jess Wilson called the current fortnightly system “disgusting,” citing overflowing bins and the struggles of families with nappies and large households.

Why Fortnightly Collections Became Common

Over 30 Victorian councils, including Banyule, Bayside, Boroondara, and Monash, have shifted from weekly to fortnightly general rubbish pickups. The goal is to reduce landfill waste, encourage composting, and save ratepayers money. For example, Merri-bek council expects to save $16 million over 10 years by switching to fortnightly collections starting mid-2027.

However, many residents find the longer wait inconvenient, especially in summer or for families with young children. The opposition argues that essential services like rubbish collection should not vary by postcode.

What the Victorian Liberals Are Promising

If elected, a Liberal-National government would mandate weekly general rubbish collections across all Victorian councils. They also pledge to apply the council rate cap to waste charges, ensuring households do not pay more for the restored service. This means the cost of weekly pickups would be absorbed within existing rate limits, not passed on as a new surcharge.

Leader Jess Wilson, whose Kew electorate falls under Boroondara council, emphasized that weekly collections are “common sense.” She described the current situation as bins overflowing, with extra bags ending up in council parks. Her proposal aims to standardize waste services statewide, removing the inconsistency that residents currently face.

Comparison: Weekly vs. Fortnightly Rubbish Collection

Key Takeaways

• Victorian Liberals promise weekly rubbish collection if they win the election.
• Over 30 councils currently use fortnightly collections, including major Melbourne areas.
• Merri-bek’s switch saves $16 million over 10 years but may cause inconvenience.
• The opposition plans to cap waste charges to prevent rate increases.
• Residents with high waste needs, like nappy users, may benefit from larger bins.

Impact on Households and Councils

For households, weekly collections mean less time managing overflowing bins and fewer issues with odor and pests. However, councils that have invested in fortnightly systems may face logistical and financial challenges if forced to revert. The promise also raises questions about how the state government will enforce compliance and fund the change without raising rates.

Some councils, like Merri-bek, have proposed increasing bin sizes from 80 to 120 litres to accommodate fortnightly pickup. Under the Liberal plan, such measures would become unnecessary, but the environmental benefits of reduced landfill could be lost.

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