Murchison residents are increasingly concerned over the future of their local Resource Recovery Centre following Greater Shepparton City Council’s announcement of a new hard waste collection service, set to begin on July 1, 2026.
Although Mayor Cr Shane Sali has stated that “no decision has been made,” a statement published on the council's website has left some locals fearing otherwise.
It read: “The Hard Waste Collection Service will provide residents with two 3m³ collections (total of 6m³ per year) from the nature strip, equating to six trips to the Resource Recovery Centre based on the average transaction volume of 1m³.”
While the move has been welcomed by some, other Murchison locals fear the initiative could pave the way for the eventual closure of the town’s Resource Recovery Centre, located on its outskirts.
Adding to local concerns is a community survey, conducted via the council’s website before the announcement, which sought feedback on how well the existing Resource Recovery Centres were meeting community needs across Greater Shepparton.
This survey and the hard waste announcement have sparked speculation on social media and around the town.
Some residents have pointed to a reduction in the centre’s operating hours last year — from two days a week to just one — as an early sign of a gradual winding back of services.
“It’s only a matter of time now,” one local wrote on a Facebook community page.
“They dropped our opening days from two to one last year. Now they’ve introduced this hard waste collection. Our tip will close for sure.”
“Murchison residents deserve better than having our waste services slowly eroded under the guise of consultation.”
Others raised concerns about the survey being accessible only online, excluding those in the community who don’t use modern technology.
After reaching out to Council regarding local concerns over the future of the Murchison and Ardmona Resource Recovery Centres — and the results of the survey conducted before the hard waste collection announcement — Mayor, Cr Shane Sali, told The News the survey results are yet to be consolidated.
“Council will make the results available to the community once this has been completed, which is expected by early August 2025,” he said.
“Council has not made any decisions on the closure of the Murchison or Ardmona Resource Recovery Centres as a result of the new Hard Waste Collection Service.”
At Greater Shepparton City Council’s June meeting, Cr Anthony Brophy voted against the new hard waste service, stating there had been no direct public engagement regarding the policy.
He also noted that while residents would likely take part in the new collection service during its first 12 months, no major changes or decisions about the Resource Recovery Centres should be made until at least a year after the service is introduced, to properly assess how the centres are being utilised.
Residents say they will continue to voice their concerns to ensure local waste services remain accessible and open.