It comes after Horsham Rural City Council asked the community what they would like to see considered in its waste management strategy.

The top response was green waste bins, with people wanted bins provided at no cost.

Residents also wanted recycling to be collected weekly, with others wanting recycling collection in Laharum, Wartook and Clear Lake areas.

Hard rubbish collection was also a hot topic, with people calling for it to be collected quarterly.

Council technical services director John Martin said feedback was received on both the council and the Natimuk noticeboard Facebook pages.

“All the comments received were presented to the committee and have been listed in an update on council’s website,” he said.

The committee has also suggested that further information be provided to the community to highlight some of the options for council’s existing services, including the option of additional recycling bins at no charge, and the opportunity to drop metal waste at transfer stations free of charge.

From the feedback, the committee’s initial priorities are green waste collection; hard waste collection; extending garbage and recycling services to more rural areas; and reviewing bin sizes and collection frequency. 

“The committee has discussed the overall costs of council’s waste service and heard that the service is not funded by general rates, but through separate charges for the waste bin service and money collected for gate fees at transfer stations and Dooen Landfill,” Mr Martin said.

“The committee is looking at options to improve council’s waste services, based on the community’s goals, and will explore how the costs of any additional services would be funded.”