Kerbside service set to start

THE District Council of Grant will begin rolling out an opt-in Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) kerbside collection service following a successful trial.

The service will initially be made available to residents in Port MacDonnell, Moorak, Compton and Nene Valley, the same areas which participated in a preliminary trial commencing at the end of last year, for an annual charge of $85.

District Council of Grant Mayor Kylie Boston said the continuation of the FOGO service is one of the ways Council is supporting the community to reduce their carbon footprint and creating a sustainable district.

“Our community showed strong engagement and interest in more sustainable waste management options,” Mayor Boston said. “The trial and subsequent community consultation demonstrated that a Food Organics and Garden Organics service is not only viable but valued by many of our residents.

“Food Organics and Garden Organic covers all organic waste usually generated at home in the kitchen and the garden. Collection helps divert this waste from your red rubbish bin, reduces the amount and cost of waste to landfill, and creates compost.”

In September last year, council approved to conduct a three-month FOGO kerbside collection service trial, running from December 1 until February 28 this year, to collect data on the feasibility of collections and consult the wider community on the level of support for providing an ongoing service.

A comprehensive review of the trial’s outcomes and feedback received during community consultation was presented at Council’s most recent meeting on Wednesday 23 April 2025.

Chief executive officer Darryl Whicker said feedback was generally supportive of continuing and expanding the service in the existing trial areas.

“We were extremely pleased with the strong engagement shown during the consultation process, receiving 540 submissions,” Mr Whicker said. “Importantly, 63% of all respondents indicated support for a future Food Organics and Garden Organic service at their property.”

It was also reported at the council meeting that the greatest number of submissions were received from residents within the existing trial areas of Port MacDonnell, Nene Valley, Moorak and Compton.

More than 75% per cent of respondents in these areas supported a future kerbside collection service.

“The new opt-in service directly responds to Council’s Strategic Plan 2024 – 2034 which requires council to investigate additional waste services, including green waste, beyond the current kerbside collections,” Mr Whicker said.

“We are proud to deliver on our strategic focus area and support our environment goal of a sustainable district that values the natural qualities and heritage that underpin our health, liveability and economy.”

Council also endorsed to carry out a second free FOGO trial in Yahl, Tarpeena, Allendale East and Kongorong after receiving sufficient interest in the service during the community consultation period.

Eligible households will soon receive information directly on how to participate in the second trial, what to expect from the service and how to opt-in and out of the newly endorsed FOGO kerbside collection service.

Image: Mayor Kylie Boston and Director of Environmental Services Leith McEvoy pleased to commence rolling out an opt-in Food Organics and Garden Organics kerbside collection service and second free trial within the district.