The conversation
As part of our draft Budget 25-26 we proposed a range of changes to commercial waste and recycling in the central city.
These changes, which included a new annual waste collector permit fee of $5,500 per truck for commercial operators collecting waste from businesses in the central city, were endorsed in the final Budget 2025-26 on 30 June 2025.
As part of this endorsement, Council resolved that we undertake further consultation about how we implement the new waste collector permit fee.
In mid-2025 we invited feedback from waste collectors operating in the CBD, residents, businesses and visitors for their feedback on the new fee. More information can be found on the project overview page.
Gathering insights
The engagement ran from 15 August to 12 September 2025.
We collected feedback through:
- an online survey curated for different audiences – waste collectors, businesses in the CBD, residents in the CBD, visitors
- email submissions
- two face-to-face meetings with waste collector industry representatives and waste collectors, facilitated by Capire Consulting Group.
Who we heard from
We received 44 survey responses and a further seven email submissions.
We heard from a range of people and organisations who are likely to be impacted by the waste collector permit fee. Participants included:
- Waste sector representatives – including service providers and industry groups.
- Businesses – customers of waste services and businesses operating within the City of Melbourne.
- Residents – people living in the CBD.
- Visitors – people visiting the CBD.
Not all survey participants chose to share demographic information, but of those who did:
- 27% (12 people) said they didn’t identify with any of the listed demographic categories.
- 9% identified as people with a disability (no carers).
- 4% identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
- 4% identified as LGBTIQA+.
- 18% were born overseas.
- 9% speak a language other than English at home – Cantonese and Italian were the languages nominated.
- All participants accessed the engagement website in English.
What we heard
Across the survey responses, stakeholder meetings and written submissions, participants shared a range of views. While there was broad agreement that improvements to waste operations in the CBD are needed, many participants expressed concern about the proposed permit fee.
Key themes included:
- Financial impacts – concerns that costs may be passed from waste companies to businesses.
- Transparency – calls for clearer information about how the permit fee will be implemented, monitored and enforced.
- Operational improvements – suggestions to improve the efficiency of waste collection.
- Collaboration – a desire for stronger partnerships between the City of Melbourne and the waste sector.
“Perhaps using sensor technology for when bins actually require emptying could cut down on the number of daily trucks.”
“If these fees are implemented, it will have a significant impact on small businesses like ours.”
“Guidance on how to report rogue operators and suspected non-compliance, along with assurance of follow-up, would support a fairer operating environment.”
“Instead of charging waste service providers, you need to charge the business's that are using your facilities to cover your costs.”
“Having a limited number of larger trucks with permits could mean we are forced to mix all waste and recyclable waste together in order to meet tight timeframes.”
“Reducing impact on environment, becoming greener, finding a solution for organic waste.”
“I think currently a large amount of recyclable waste is not recycled due to the difficulties of disposing of waste.”
“We would like to separate organic and glass waste more efficiently.”
“Require operators to log vehicle movements and optimise routes with council oversight, so collections are consolidated, and duplication is avoided.”
“I'm concerned that charging a fee will result in waste businesses negotiating to keep costs the same by collecting waste less frequently which means more full stinky bins sitting around for longer between collection.”
“If it comes down to rubbish vs trucks, I care more about the impact of rubbish waiting to be collected, and don't mind trucks in the CBD every day if it keeps that rubbish to a minimum.”
“I can assure you that rubbish trucks on Howitt Lane come at least 3 times a week, often at 3 or 4am and there's the reversing beeper, and the sound of the glass bottles tipping into the truck. It is damn ridiculous.”
“How are truck permits checked? Truck operators could register one truck for CBD and send any number of others in if permits are not checked.”
Impact
The feedback gathered will help inform the waste collector permit fee implementation plan. The results of this consultation will be taken to Councillors on 25 November 2025 for endorsement.
Next steps
Council is currently working on developing recommendations for the implementation plan based on the feedback provided.
Read the consultation summary report
