General News
7 April, 2026
Council clarify tip closure plans
Central Goldfields Shire Council has revealed more details on what proposed transfer station closures might look like.
Central Goldfields Shire Council has provided further insight into their controversial proposal to close three-quarters of the shire’s transfer stations.
Councillors voted to invite community feedback on the Draft Budget 2026/27 at the March council meeting.
This budget proposed “difficult decisions” which included closing the transfer stations in Bealiba, Dunolly, and Talbot.
Their reasoning was a deteriorating financial position due to a $5.5 million deficit recorded in 2023/24 and increasing financial pressure on council.
Council CEO Peter Harriott told the ABC a “growing gap” between income and expenditure for small rural councils has been made worse by external financial pressures.
“If we don’t make these cuts, the underlying deficit will continue to grow … and our cash position will not be sustainable,” he said.
Council’s plan to reach operating surplus is to save $11 million over the next four years with $3.2 million needed in savings for 2026/27 alone.
They provided the community further clarity on their plan last week in an FAQ on their website.
Council said the shire’s three transfer stations facing closure cost around $160,000 a year to run making $16,000 in revenue.
The shortfall is paid through other parts of the waste management budget which runs without a profit or loss.
They also require an investment to bring them up to modern standards, according to council, although what that would cost is unclear.
Council said the savings from the transfer station closures would go to eligible ratepayers, not council, and would be around $20 each.
“We recognise that even small savings are beneficial to people in the current economic climate,” they said in the FAQ.
The cost of the closures to the shire’s rural communities, however, is likely to be far greater.
If their transfer stations are closed then Bealiba, Dunolly, and Talbot’s residents will have to travel 94 km, 52 km, and 36 km respectively to dispose of their rubbish.
Using the Australian Taxation Office’s vehicle use calculator of 88 cents per kilometre, that will cost Bealiba residents over $80 in fuel alone.
Council are “considering expansion” of their household collection service in July 2027, according to the FAQ, to include new services for some residents who do not already recieve it.
Currently rural residents recieve reduced or no kerbside bin collection, instead relying on their local transfer station.
During the March council meeting, Mr Harriott said keeping the transfer stations open would mean the waste management fee would be increased.
The budget already mentions standard waste charges have increased by seven percent with varying increases for non-standard waste charges.
According to council, the increase ensures the whole waste management function continues to be fully funded by the waste charges.
Residents are able to provide feedback on the budget, including the proposed closures, until 5 pm April 16.
Submitters will also need to indicate on their submissions if they would like to speak at a Special Budget Hearing Meeting on Wednesday, April 29.
Correction 10/4: It was reported in the Tuesday (7/4) edition of the Maryborough District Advertiser council's four transfer stations cost around $160,000 a year to run making $16,000 in revenue. These figures are instead for three of council's transfer stations: Bealiba, Dunolly, and Talbot.