A green waste charge has been proposed in East Gippsland Shire Council’s draft budget.
Shire Manager of Community and Assets, Fiona Weigall, told a recent council meeting that while council had been offering a free green waste service, “the management of green waste is certainly not free”.
“If we look at some of the management costs - the mulching and the processing of the green waste this year, it is expected to reach over$700,000.
“So that’s really a cost that has to be absorbed into our other fees and charges,” Ms Weigall said.
She said shire fees would have to go up “significantly” if council continued to subside the service.
“When we look at what’s coming through our campsite collection verses what comes through our transfer stations and our landfills, 80 per cent of all green waste material that is processed actually comes through the transfer stations and the landfills, rather than through the kerbside collection,” Ms Weigall said.

IMAGE: East Gippsland Shire Council has proposed introducing a green waste charge in its draft budget. (PS)