“Unfair” to charge equally: Monash Council investigating smaller, cheaper bin options ahead of $329 rate hike

Monash Council has now become the last Victorian council to introduce a separate Waste Service Charge, with councillors unanimously endorsing the $394 fee for all ratepayers on Tuesday night.

Monash mayor Paul Klisaris said the council would also investigate introducing a cheaper 80-litre bin for residents who produce less waste.

“During consultation, we heard it is unfair that smaller households and people doing their best to reduce waste are paying the same as others,” he told the Eastern Melburnian.

🚮 Different bins, different folks: The standard size bin in Monash is 120 litres for red landfill and 240 litres for yellow recycling and green organic waste.

Residents can upgrade to a 240-litre landfill bin for $417 a year. They can also pay for an extra 240-litre recycling bin ($73.10) and an extra 240-litre green waste bin ($173.20), with additional fees added to rates.

🗑️ Trash tax: As part of the 2025/26 rates, Monash Council imposed a $65 service charge per property to help cover waste costs. This will raise about $5.6 million, $26 million short of the $31.6 million required.

During Tuesday’s meeting, all councillors voted in support of the motion to impose a Waste Service Charge of $394, which would be listed separately to rates and come into effect in 2026/27.

🗣️ Ratepayers’ opinions: Public consultation ran from June 24 to September 1, via notices to 86,285 ratepayers, a phone survey of 400 people and 85 submissions on Shape Monash.