Date: 11 June 2026

Merri-bek Council has voted to end weekly rubbish collection across its municipality, moving to a fortnightly service from July 2027 — despite significant community opposition and petitions signed by more than 3,400 residents.

The decision was carried six votes to four at Wednesday night’s council meeting, with Mayor Nat Abboud and five other councillors voting in favour. Councillors Chris Miles, Oscar Yildiz, Helen Davidson and Katherine Theodosis voted against the motion, according to the Herald Sun.

According to council documents, the change is framed as both an environmental and financial measure, projected to save ratepayers at least $16 million over the next decade and divert thousands of tonnes of waste from landfill. A six-month trial involving 3,000 households across parts of Hadfield, Brunswick and Brunswick West, conducted between July and December 2025, recorded a 19 per cent reduction in the average weight of rubbish sent to landfill.

To accommodate the extended collection interval, the council will increase the default bin size from 120 litres to 140 litres.

Community groups have been vocal in their opposition. The Fawkner Residents Association said the decision ignored the concerns of thousands of residents, and questioned whether the projected savings were adequately explained or whether cost-saving alternatives had been properly considered. Concerns were also raised about the cost of replacing approximately 70,000 household bins across the municipality.

Councillor Oscar Yildiz, who voted against the motion, said waste collection was one of the most fundamental services a council provided. “When council reduces a core service, we have a responsibility to be absolutely certain that the change is practical, equitable and supported by the community,” he said.

Opponents of the change have argued that fortnightly collection poses genuine public health risks, including increased vermin, foul odours and waste accumulation — particularly during Melbourne’s warmer months.

The Merri-bek decision is likely to be watched closely by councils around Australia considering similar measures as they balance cost pressures against community expectations for core services.