Hi all,

This petition has been created to give residents, ratepayers and community members across Baw Baw Shire the opportunity to express their concerns about the reduction in general waste collection services and the impact this is having on households throughout our community.

Many residents have told me that fortnightly general waste collections are simply not practical, despite already doing everything Council has encouraged to reduce landfill by recycling, composting and participating in (FOGO) collections.

One of the most significant concerns raised is that Council has not adequately considered the practical implications of requiring households to store unavoidable household waste for up to two weeks, particularly where sanitary, medical and other unavoidable waste is generated.

This affects many households, including:

• families with babies and young children who rely on disposable nappies;
• households caring for children or adults with disabilities who use continence products and pull-ups;
• elderly residents who rely on incontinence products;
• large and multigenerational households that naturally generate greater volumes of waste;
• hobby farmers and people operating businesses from home who generate additional waste;
• residents living with medical conditions that produce unavoidable medical waste, including ostomy products, TPN equipment, PEG feeding systems and MACE procedures;
• families needing to dispose of sanitary and hygiene products; and
• pet owners managing animal waste.

The reduction in collection frequency has not only created practical challenges for me personally, but has also raised concerns about sanitation, hygiene, odour, pests and potential public health impacts, particularly during warmer months.

We acknowledge that Council has confirmed it intends to introduce a Special Consideration Program during the fourth quarter of 2026, under which eligible residents may apply for an additional red bin if they meet specified criteria.

While this initiative may assist some households with the volume of waste they generate, it does not address the community's principal concern—the requirement to store unavoidable household waste contaminated by urine, faeces, blood and other bodily fluids for up to two weeks between collections. 

This petition is not about opposing environmental sustainability.  It is about asking Council to find a balanced solution that protects the environment while also recognising the health, hygiene and practical needs of residents, particularly those of us who are now required to hold onto contaminated waste for up to two weeks.

If you believe weekly general waste collections should be reinstated, or that Council should review the current arrangements in consultation with the community, please add your name to this petition and help ensure our voices are heard.

Thank you all for your time,

Liz Shaw