Waste levy introduced across Campaspe Shire

By Ryan Bellingham

Jun 19, 2025

A new waste levy will be introduced in Campaspe Shire this year. Photo by Getty Images

Campaspe Shire Council is introducing a new levy on waste services in the 2025-26 financial year that will apply across the whole municipality.

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The motion to introduce the Waste Facilities Levy, a $94 fee that will apply to all eligible properties, was carried at the council meeting on Tuesday, June 17.

Properties that currently have curbside waste collection are expected to see a reduction in waste fees, while those that don’t will still receive the fixed fee.

Cr Zoe Cook said the levy was created partly based on professional advice that recommended making the council’s fees more transparent to ratepayers.

“Previously, the costs that were charged to people on their rates notice for bin collection were also covering the cost of waste collection in general areas, such as parks or along the streets,” she said.

The levy will benefit all residents, Cr Cook said, as it will go towards keeping the council’s public spaces clean.

Cr Paul Jarman said the council had been confronted with a 30 per cent increase from the Victorian Government in relation to the waste levy.

While the council had tried to subsidise the service, Cr Jarman said it had become “impossible” to do so, and applying the fixed levy to all eligible properties was an equitable way to cover the rising costs.

Cr Adrian Weston opposed the motion, and said he could not support the introduction of a second new levy on rates notices this year.

“Later on in this agenda, we'll be talking about the introduction of the state government's new Emergency Services and Volunteers (Fund),” he said.

“We've objected vehemently to that... and yet we're turning around and proposing a new $94 per property tax. I just simply can't reconcile and support that.”

Cr John Zobec also opposed the motion, citing the 3000 or so residents who do not receive curbside waste collection that will now be charged the fixed fee.

According to the council, extensive community consultation on the levy was held, including a community roundtable on Friday, May 2.

The roundtable had a majority support for the introduction of the Waste Facilities Levy, along with support for concessions and discounts for specific groups.

Councillors Rob Amos, Cook, Jarman, Tony Marwood and Mayor Daniel Mackrell were in favour of the motion, while councillors Jessica Mitchell, Weston, Luke Sharrock and Zobec opposed it.