Calls to extend free bushfire waste disposal program
Published on 30 April 2026
Murrindindi and Strathbogie Shires have called on the Victorian State Government to urgently extend Council’s free bushfire waste disposal program beyond its current end date of 12 May.
The councils are calling for a further six months to be added to the program to ensure recovery continues to be properly supported for households impacted by the January bushfires.
In January, the State Government provided two programs for bushfire impacted property owners to use following the January 2026 fires.
- Free waste disposal at Council-managed landfills and Resource and Recovery Centres – available to all bushfire impacted property owners/tenants until May 12.
- On-site clean-up for eligible property owners however it must be a primary place of residence, under-insured or uninsured; no deadline has been provided for the end of this program.
Over 275 Murrindindi property owners registered for the State Government on-site clean-up program, however only 27 have been accepted with just 5 seeing any activity at their property. Strathbogie has seen 131 property owners registered with 14 accepted and 4 seeing any activity at their property.
Some people have reportedly now given up waiting for the State Government program and have withdrawn from the process whilst many others have been deemed ineligible.
Demand has been high for the Council operated, fee-free waste disposal services, with a years’ worth of waste being registered in the first four months of the year at the Alexandra landfill site.
The free bushfire waste disposal at council facilities is currently providing a critical safety net for those with no other viable recovery pathway. With a high number of people still waiting for their assessments, closing this option now would unfairly shift pressure onto those least able to absorb it.
Of the many municipalities affected by the 2026 fires, these two shires were the most impacted, yet the scale of State-funded recovery support has not yet matched the level of damage experienced locally.
Reports are still coming that many residents are only now beginning the difficult process of clearing fire-damaged properties as the need to secure temporary accommodation ahead of winter becomes increasingly urgent. The delays to clean up have also had a compounding impact on mental health and wellbeing with residents continuing to confront the extent of damage to their properties.
Mayor of Murrindindi Shire Council, Cr Damien Gallagher, said the community was increasingly anxious about the looming end date.
“For many people in our Shire, recovery hasn’t even properly started yet. Some residents are only now gaining safe access to their properties, while others waited in good faith for State programs that are still moving slowly,” said Cr Gallagher.
Mayor of Strathbogie Shire Council, Cr Scott Jeffery said we have seen many people take advantage of the free waste disposal at Council’s sites over the past few months.
“Many residents in Strathbogie are not eligible for the on-site state-provided clean-up program - so this service simply provides essential support for people least able to absorb further pressure. Without accessible and affordable disposal options, there is also a heightened risk of environmental harm and illegal dumping, which could further impact already vulnerable landscapes and waterways.
“We’re seeing strong use of the service and many of these people are already carrying enormous financial and emotional strain. Without an extension, these residents will be left with no viable pathway to safely and affordably remove fire-damaged waste,” said Cr Jeffery.
Both councils are urging the State Government to act quickly to avoid compounding hardship for already vulnerable households.
“Behind every load of fire-damaged waste are families trying to put their life back together, businesses trying to reopen, and communities doing their best to move forward,” Cr Jeffery added.
“Support needs to keep pace with impact, especially for those who have the least capacity to carry more. Right now, it’s not and that needs to change and quickly.”