MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has reduced its proposed kerbside waste fee after community consultation, but residents will still face a significant increase in annual expenses under the 2026/27 budget.
At the 29 June council meeting, council confirmed the fee would drop from $570 to $507 per household after consultation with the community.
The revised charge is still an approximate 17% increase from last year’s fee of $433.
The waste charges are part of a broader rates and charges package increase totalling $249.6m across the shire.
Mayor Cr Stephen Batty said the draft budget consultation found residents generally supported the proposed 2.75% rate cap increase but were particularly concerned about the waste charges.
“In response to community feedback, council reviewed the proposed curbside waste charge and reduced it from the draft amount of $570 to $507,” said Batty.
The $507 fee has been split into two components: $353 for waste collection and disposal through kerbside bins, and $154 for public cleaning, which includes street sweeping and public bin servicing.
Cr Andrea Allen noted this is the first time properties without kerbside collection, such as shops and beach boxes, will not be required to pay the full amount.
“They will only pay a $154 public cleaning charge, that is a $279, or 64%, decrease compared to 25/26 when they were paying the full $433,” said Allen.
Allen said it was disappointing to see so much misinformation about the public cleaning charge even on mainstream media.
“For the record, the public cleaning charge is not a new charge,” said Allen.
“Ratepayers have always contributed to these costs as part of the overall waste charge. What has changed this year is that the waste charge has been separated into waste collection and public cleaning.”
“To help lower costs, council has decided to delay the Victorian government’s bin lid standardisation program and borrow money for compulsory FOGO bins.
“The program will require households to eventually transition to nationally consistent coloured bin lids for general waste, recycling, food and green waste, and glass recycling.
Allen said she was pleased they found a way to lower the waste charge.
“We will delay doing the standardised bin lids and borrow to purchase the green bins so those costs will not be part of the next year’s waste service charge,” said Allen.
Cr Paul Pingiaro pointed out external pressures driving the increase, including inflation, fuel prices, and rising waste costs.
“Construction, waste, fuel, and service delivery costs continue to rise faster than the rate cap,” said Pingiaro.
“Council has significantly less funding available for new infrastructure while the costs of maintaining and renewing our existing assets continue to rise.”
Overall, Pingiaro said he was happy with the finalised 2026/27 budget and the resources it will provide.
“The real test is whether it directs limited resources towards the greatest needs of our community and I believe this budget does that,” said Pingiaro.
Even with the reduced fee, the waste charge increase is one of the most visible impacts of the 2026/27 budget.
First published in the Mornington News – 7 July 2026
