New fee structure at transfer station

A NEW fee structure that came into effect at Ballarat Transfer Station this week is expected to make payment easier to understand and reduce wait times.

The new pricing has been introduced by the City of Ballarat in response to feedback from residents and users.

It aims to help users more easily see how much they will be charged by clearly separating waste into size categories, ranging from a car boot load to a full large, caged trailer.

A second gatehouse at the transfer station’s entry has also recently been introduced, allowing two vehicles to be processed at the same time in a move aimed at further reducing queuing waits.

More than 82,000 visits have been recorded at the facility over the 2025/26 financial year and City of Ballarat mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves said the new changes acknowledged wait times had been increasing at the transfer station.

“We are very aware of the potential for long wait times and community uncertainty around pricing at the transfer station. That’s why we have acted now,” Cr Hargreaves said.

“The new pricing structure will give people some more certainty around what they can expect to pay when they visit, while the new gatehouse will reduce wait times.

“Council is committed to improving the way the transfer station operates and will be seeking community feedback on these changes within six months.”

Under the new pricing structure there are now 13 size categories that will be used to measure waste, including car boots, utes, and a variety of trailer sizes and capacities.

A 40 per cent surcharge will still apply for people who do not live in the City of Ballarat, as the transfer station is fully funded by Ballarat ratepayers.

Costs range from $9 for City of Ballarat residents to dispose of a car boot load of green waste or clean timber, and up to to $681 for non-residents to dispose of a large caged trailer full of general waste.

New on-site signage is being installed outlining the prices for each category for both general waste, green waste and clean timber, with prices for individual items such as mattresses, tyres, and fridges also detailed.

The list of items that are free to dispose will remain unchanged and includes e-waste, batteries, cardboard, household recycling, glass, and textiles.

Cubic metre rates will also be available on customer request, although the default measurement will be according to the new load size structure.

As part of the newly adopted 2026/27 budget, the City of Ballarat has also committed to implementing a Hard Waste Collection Service trial next year.