FACT SHEET

GARBAGE COMPACTOR ACCESS FEE

In the past three years the City of Melbourne has installed garbage compactors and recycling hubs in four
central city priority areas; Bullens Lane in Chinatown, Kirks Lane near Hardware Lane, Lacey Place in
Chinatown and Caledonian Lane off Little Bourke Street.

Until now, the garbage compactors have been free for both businesses and residents to use. In June 2016,
Melbourne City Council decided to introduce a fee for the on-going use of the garbage compactors by
businesses. This fee will start on 1 October 2016.

Residents and small businesses with small amounts of rubbish that would otherwise access the weekly
garbage collection provided to rateable properties will not be required to pay a fee and can continue to use the
garbage compactor free of charge.

The recycling hubs will continue to be free of charge for residents and all businesses. The recycling hubs are
provided to encourage recycling and reduction of waste to landfill.

For further information please visit melbourne.vic.gov.au/waste or contact City of Melbourne on 9658 9658.

Do I have to pay to use the garbage compactor?

Residents – No, you do not need to pay to use the garbage compactor.
Small businesses with less than 120L garbage per week – No, you do not need to pay to use the garbage
compactor.
All other businesses – Yes, you need to pay to use the garbage compactor.

How much is the garbage compactor access fee?

The garbage compactor access fee will be charged on the basis of low, medium and high usage levels
depending on how often the garbage compactor is used. The details of the usage levels and fees per quarter
(three month period) are shown in the table below.

Usage level Fee per quarter (including GST) Average frequency of use

Low $225.00 Up to six times per week

Medium $900.00 Up to 3 times per day

High $1,800.00 Up to 7 times per day

When will the fee be introduced?

The fee will be payable from 1 October 2016.

Why do I have to pay a fee to access the garbage compactors?

Access to the garbage compactors has been at no cost to businesses since they were introduced. However,
as each compactor costs around $150,000 to operate annually, by introducing a fee-paying model, we can
expand the service and ensure the sustainability of innovative waste services and their continued operation for
the long-term.
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How will the fee be charged?

The fee will be charged quarterly and due one week prior to the start of each quarter. A notification will be sent
approximately 2 weeks prior to the payment due date to remind you of the upcoming payment. The first
quarterly access period starts on 1 October 2016. Businesses that register for compactor access prior to this
date will be sent a notification with instructions on how to pay prior to the payment due date. Failure to pay the
quarterly fee by the due date may result in access to the garbage compactor being revoked and the access
card de-activated.

Who decides that my usage level will be and therefore, how much I will pay?
Each business will have their usage level assessed by City of Melbourne based on their current waste
management practices. This will set the usage level for the first quarterly fee payment. Usage levels will be
reviewed regularly. The garbage compactor automatically tracks the number of times each access card is
used, which will allow City of Melbourne to decide whether the usage level should be changed. Any resulting
change to the usage level fee will be applied to the next quarterly payment.

Refunds and pro-rata payments

Payments are required to be made prior to the quarterly payment due date. Businesses that register for the
program in the first month of each quarter will be required to pay for the entire quarter. Businesses that
register in the second or third month of each quarter will not be billed until the start of the following quarter.
Payments are non-refundable. Requests for refunds will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

What are the benefits for businesses that use the garbage compactor?
Businesses that use the garbage compactor avoid the need for a separate garbage collection, which means
that less space is needed inside the premises for storing garbage bins in between collections. Businesses can
also access the free recycling hubs to reduce the amount of material that they are sending to landfill.
Participating businesses can access a range of promotional opportunities through the City of Melbourne’s
GreenMoney sustainable rewards program. To find out more, please contact us on 03 9658 9658.

Why don’t some businesses and residents have to pay?

Each rateable property is entitled to a 120L garbage bin and 120L or 240L recycling bin collected weekly if this
meets their waste collection needs. Businesses and residents who would otherwise use this service are not
required to pay to use the garbage compactor. Eligibility can be assessed by City of Melbourne.

Do I have to use the garbage compactors and recycling hubs?

You do not have to use the garbage compactors and recycling hubs. If you wish to make your own
arrangements for your garbage and/or recycling you are welcome to do so.

Under the City of Melbourne’s Activities Local Law, waste containers can only be placed in or on a public
place for collection and must be brought inside within three hours after collection unless the bin is within an
area prescribed by the Council for the storage of waste containers. For further information please refer to the
Activities Local Law 2009 which is available on the City of Melbourne website or contact us on 9658 9658.

Can I have an extra access card for my business?

Businesses on the ‘high’ usage level payment may be provided an extra access card from City of Melbourne in
some circumstances. Other businesses and residents receive a single access card.

What happens if I lose my access card?

Contact us immediately to arrange for your card to be cancelled and for a replacement card to be provided.
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Restrictions on use of the garbage compactor access card

The access card must only be used by the business or household that it has been provided to by the City of
Melbourne. Cards remain the property of City of Melbourne and must be returned if no longer required.

How will you manage illegal dumping?

The garbage compactor and recycling hub laneways and those in surrounding areas will be monitored on a
regular basis. Illegally dumping rubbish or recyclable materials is an offence and penalties apply.

What happens next?

Existing compactor users will be contacted by City of Melbourne in the coming weeks to confirm their on-going
use of the garbage compactor.

More information
Contact us on 03 9658 9658 or visit melbourne.vic.gov.au/waste