Griffith City Council has confirmed plans to introduce a Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) collection service, with rollout scheduled for 1 July 2027.
At the 23 September Council Meeting, Councillors endorsed the next phase of planning, which will see work commence on three key components required for the successful introduction of FOGO:
- Developing a Waste Collection Policy
- Delivering a comprehensive community education campaign
- Determining the collection service model
FOGO represents a major step forward in reducing landfill and creating a more sustainable future for Griffith. The service will provide residents with a dedicated bin for food and garden waste, diverting organics from landfill and transforming them into valuable compost.
Council has engaged Halve Waste to lead the education component of the rollout. Halve Waste has extensive experience in this area, having supported successful FOGO implementations in Leeton and Murray Shires. Partnering with Halve Waste ensures consistent regional messaging and maximises the benefits of Griffith's existing participation in the program.
Griffith Mayor, Councillor Doug Curran said education would be key to the program's success.
"FOGO is an important sustainable environmental initiative, but is a big change for our community, and the education campaign will help households understand what goes in each bin and why it matters," Mayor Curran said.
"By working with Halve Waste, we can build on a proven model and support residents to make the transition as smooth as possible."
Planning also includes exploring funding opportunities through the NSW EPA's FOGO grants program, which could contribute up to $500,000 towards Griffith's rollout.
With the groundwork now underway, Council will continue to engage with the community in the lead-up to the 2027 service start.
