Wednesday, 4 March 2026

 Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (13:02): My question is to the Minister for Environment, requesting a review of the mandatory introduction of glass-only kerbside recycling bins for regional councils. The Campaspe Shire Council has raised serious concerns, including significant cost increases, higher emissions, environmental impacts, inefficiency, duplication of existing programs and a lack of flexibility for local communities. The council has undertaken further analysis and modelling and resolved to reject the mandatory implementation of the glass-only bin service for households. For Campaspe shire, a glass-only bin will not deliver a glass-free recycling stream, as contamination will still occur at the material recovery facility due to co-mingled recycling from New South Wales, where glass-only collection is not mandated. More than 30 Victorian councils have called on the Victorian government to abandon or fundamentally revise the current glass bin mandate in favour of more efficient, locally tailored waste management solutions. Given the substantial concerns raised by local governments, will the minister reconsider this one-size-fits-all approach and work collaboratively with councils to deliver a more sustainable and cost-effective outcome for regional communities?

Sitting suspended 1:04 pm until 2:06 pm.