MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is investigating options as the current Rye landfill nears capacity.
At the unscheduled 10 November council meeting, the shire will discuss a proposal that seeks to provide a reliable, local solution for managing the peninsula’s waste.
The proposal includes community engagement, consideration of developing an additional cell in Rye, and acknowledgement the shire will not reach its target of zero waste to landfill by 2030.
Mayor Stephen Batty said the council’s priority is to hear from the community before any decision is made.
“We know household budgets are under pressure, and the last thing residents need is unnecessary increases to their waste charges,” said Batty.
“That’s why we’re looking closely at how we can manage our waste more efficiently, keep costs as low as possible and make responsible decisions for the future.”
In 2020, the shire adopted the draft Beyond Zero Waste Strategy, which included a target of diverting 100 per cent of household waste from landfill.
The report states the target relied on the assumption waste-to-energy would be the residual waste option by 2030.
Currently, the shire collects approximately 35,000 tonnes of residual waste annually.
Batty said transporting waste across Melbourne comes at a significant cost, and it would be best to find another solution.
In August, the shire approved an expenditure of up to $32.75 million to manage the peninsula’s residual waste when the Rye landfill reaches capacity (“Big bill to find solution after Rye landfill closure”, The News, 20/08/26).
The arrangement included diverting any residual waste to a transfer station in Dandenong before it is bulk hauled to a disposal facility.
“If we can manage more of our waste locally, without expanding the existing landfill boundaries, we have an opportunity to deliver better value for ratepayers,” said Batty.
If additional landfill space is made available in an unused area within the existing Rye landfill boundary, it would provide about 16 years of local waste capacity without expanding the landfill’s footprint.
The council officer’s report has identified this as the most cost-effective of three options assessed, with the lowest estimated impact on household waste charges.
“Importantly, this isn’t about committing the peninsula to landfill forever,” said Batty.
“It’s about finding a sensible, cost-effective solution for our residents while we prepare for the next generation of waste management.”
There are two other options up for discussion: full development of Rye landfill, which will require full relocation and provide 24 years of landfilling, and closure of Rye landfill, with all waste exported.
Council’s longer-term preference remains transitioning to a waste-to-energy facility, which would reduce reliance on traditional landfill.
However, delays in the development of these facilities mean an interim solution is needed.
Batty said feedback from the broader community was essential before council made any decisions.
“Every household and business relies on responsible waste management, and every ratepayer has an interest in ensuring we’re getting the best possible value for money,” said Batty.
“We want residents to understand the options, consider the benefits and impacts, and tell us what matters most to them.”
The shire will further discuss the options at the 10 November council meeting and community consultation will be undertaken.
First published in the Mornington News – 10 November 2026
