Victoria’s rubbish fees may rise as recycling dramas roll on

Victoria's recycling crisis may lead to a rise in household waste charges, despite a $6.6 million state government bailout revealed on Tuesday.

Household waste charges may rise to cover ongoing costs of the recycling crisis in Victoria, despite a state government bailout revealed on Tuesday.

The $6.6 million package, which will help 33 local ­governments left stranded by recycling giant SKM’s recent collapse, was welcomed by councils.

But Municipal Association of Victoria president Coral Ross said while short-term measures were great, “we are unclear whether the funding will cover the full cost increases incurred by councils”.

Household waste charges may rise to cover ongoing costs of the recycling crisis in Victoria. Picture: Alan Barber

It is understood some councils with SKM contracts are now considering whether waste charges will need to be increased to cover shortfalls.

Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien asked Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio why the Andrews Government wouldn’t halt a “landfill tax” levied on councils forced to dump recycling material.

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The minister defended the government’s handling of the crisis and flagged increasing the number of bins households used for separating recyclables.

Some inner-city councils backed the initiative, but many people questioned how more bins would be accommodated.

Beer giant Carlton & United Breweries’ sustainability manager, Kirstin Sturzaker, said “separating containers at the kerbside could prove key for recycling”, but the Greens said a container deposit scheme should be established.