Greater Shepparton City Council approves hard rubbish collection service

A Greater Shepparton City councillor has been waiting 13 years for a hard rubbish collection service and from next year — she and everyone else in town — will get that wish.

Greater Shepparton residents are set to be able to access two free hard rubbish collection services a year from July 1, 2026.

Shepparton residents have scored a win with the council approving a hard rubbish service giving all households twice yearly collection from their nature strip.

Councillor Sam Spinks said the twice-yearly service — starting on July 1, 2026 — would be free, with the option to pay for additional collections if needed.

Councillor Fern Summer said she had been waiting 13 years for a hard rubbish service

Ms Summer first advocated for hard rubbish collection before she was elected to council in 2012.

She said she knew the community “desperately” wanted the service.

Fern Summer was a strong advocate for hard rubbish collection across Greater Shepparton.

Ms Summer said overall it was a win-win for council, community and the environment.

She said the transition may cause some angst in the community as it would take time to adjust to but asked for the public’s understanding when the service first begins.

Ms Spinks said while the change would not come in for another 12 months it was a smart and equitable decision.

She said plenty of households did not have the resources, like trailers or cars, to transport large items to resource centres and the new service would correct that.

Mayor Shane Sali said a procurement process would begin to facilitate the new service by the middle of next year.

He said it would be a significant change that wouldn’t happen overnight but he looked forward to seeing what it would mean for the community.

“Who wouldn’t want to take advantage of this,” he said.

Greater Shepparton City Council has approved its budget for the next financial year. Picture: Supplied

The council also approved its 2025-26 budget at Monday’s meeting.

After a $5.72m deficit in 2024-25, the new council budget predicts an almost $4m surplus.

Major capital works projects include construction of a shared sealed path connecting Kidstown to Gemmill’s Swamp, installation of new drainage pipes, a new pump station and rising main to outfall into the Goulburn River and design and construction of the multi use pavilion at Princess Park.

Upgrades are scheduled to occur at Tallygaroopna Hall, Merrigum Museum, Murchison Community Centre, Congupna Recreation Reserve Football Pavilion, Mooroopna Pool and Tatura Park.

The budget also included a list of works scheduled for roads, totally more than $16m.

The total capital works budget was $66.4m.

Councillor Geoff Akers said the budget was a mature approach to spending and saving, putting the council in a surplus.

He said a change in the rating differentials also shifted some of the burden away from farmers who had been experiencing an unfair load.