A project plan for Greater Shepparton City Council's Kerbside Transition roll out was noted at the November Council Meeting, setting out how Council will undertake changes to the current waste collection service.
The project plan sets out the expected timeframes in which the changes will occur, which include the introduction of a fourth bin with a purple lid for glass and changes to the collection frequencies for the red and green lid bins.
Tatura and Kialla have been selected as the first areas to see the frequency changes, which are expected to start in March 2023 and run for approximately six months before being rolled out across the region. Following these changes the purple lid bin will be implemented in March 2024. This staged approach has been adopted to allow for the smoothest roll out for all residents in Greater Shepparton.
The changes come after Council adopted the Kerbside Transition Plan at the July Council Meeting following the introduction of the State Government's Waste and Recycling Policy. To comply with the policy, Council must introduce a fourth purple lid bin for glass, which will be collected monthly. Collection frequencies will also change, with the red lid bin being collected fortnightly and the green lid bin collected weekly to reduce the amount of contamination and ensure Council meet the State Government's targets, while also reducing the cost to residents.
The project plan was compiled by an internal working group who developed each step of the roll out to ensure it was the most suitable approach for the region. The project plan also provides details on the roles and responsibilities as well as the framework on the procurement of bins and services relating to the project.
Council also noted a Community Engagement Communications and Education Plan at the November Council Meeting which provides details on how Council will share information on the roll out, as well as how community education will be undertaken.
Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, said these plans were the next step in seeing this project get underway.
"Council has a responsibility to abide by the State Government's Waste and Recycling Policy which means these changes have to be made. This project plan has been developed to work through each step of the roll out and ensure these changes are made in the most efficient and suitable way," he said.
"Council will undertake a substantial amount of community education and engagement from early next year to ensure residents are aware of how and when the changes will take place. Community education is a huge part of the transition.
"The changes being implemented will have positive environmental impacts and will help to significantly reduce the amount of waste going to landfill."
Council will be receiving State Government funding for part of the roll out along with funding to deliver a comprehensive education program to support the transition plan.
