MURRINDINDI: Shire pushes for recovery support
Murrindindi Shire Council says that it is disappointed that fire-impacted residents will now need to pay gate fees to dispose of bushfire debris at Council Resource Recovery Centres, following the end of the free waste disposal program.
“While the State Government has waived the EPA levy for eligible bushfire waste, residents will now be required to pay a gate fee, which covers Council’s costs to operate the service, including staffing, handling, transport and disposal,” a Council representative said.
A Domestic Bushfire Waste Gate Fee of $47.32 / m3 now applies for general bushfire waste taken to the Resource and Recovery Centres by affected residents.
Loads of bushfire waste exceeding 3m3 and loads of building rubble (containing bricks, concrete, soil) will continue to be directed to the Alexandra Landfill where the appropriate fees will apply and the EPA levy will be removed.
Murrindindi Council has been advocating for the free waste disposal program to be extended until June 30, 2027, to give residents more time to safely clear homes, sheds, fallen trees and fire-damaged vegetation.
Mayor of Murrindindi Shire, Cr Damien Gallagher (pictured), said Council welcomed the EPA levy waiver but remained concerned that residents would still face out-of-pocket costs during recovery.
“Waiving the EPA levy is a positive step, but it does not make waste disposal free for our fire-impacted residents,” Cr Gallagher said.
“People who have lost homes, sheds, fences, trees and vegetation are now being asked to pay gate fees to continue cleaning up after a disaster they did not ask for.
“Six months is simply not long enough for many residents to complete this work, particularly when clean-up involves not only homes, but sheds, outbuildings, fallen trees and large amounts of fire-damaged vegetation.”
The free bushfire recovery waste disposal program at Council facilities has provided important practical support for fire-impacted residents as they work through the long and difficult process of clearing their properties.
The Council says many residents are still only beginning, or are yet to begin, the full clean-up process because of access issues, insurance processes, safety concerns, housing pressures and delays in broader recovery programs.