City of Mitcham Green Waste Drop-off Service: From Paid to Free (2015 – August 2026)

Contents

• Executive summary
• Timeline
• 14 July 2015 — Fleet, kerb and waste service levels reported
• 12 April 2016 — Draft Waste Management Strategy
• 14 February 2017 — Notice of motion for additional free green waste days
• 25 July 2017 — Free Green Waste Days report and resolution
• 15 May 2018 — Audit Committee: Lynton Transfer Station Green Waste Management review
• 15 July 2025 — Waste Policy Update briefing
• 7 April 2026 — 2026/27 Budget consultation parameters
• 2 June 2026 — Budget consultation feedback report
• 16 June 2026 — Review of the Green Organics Drop-off Service at Lynton
• 14 July 2026 — Policy implementation resourcing
• August 2026 — Public-facing confirmation of the free-only service
• Key findings
• Open questions

Executive summary

The City of Mitcham has operated a green organics drop-off facility at Lynton since 2001, historically funded as a mixed fee-for-service and free-day model: paid opening days on the first, third and fifth Saturday of each month, supplemented by a variable number of free days timed around the Fire Danger Season [1][6]. Between 2015 and 2017 the number and cost of free days became a recurring Council discussion point, culminating in a July 2017 resolution fixing the free-day allocation at twelve per year [6][7]. Subsequent audit and strategy work in 2018 targeted operational efficiency and electronic payment at the site [2][8]. In 2025–2026 Council undertook a broader Kerbside Waste Policy review [15] and a dedicated Service Review of the Lynton facility, which led, at the 16 June 2026 Council meeting, to a resolution ending paid drop-off days entirely and expanding the free-day allocation to twenty-two per year, supported by online booking, at a cost-neutral net budget impact [24]. Public-facing council material from August 2026 confirms the free-only service, with online booking, commencing from September [28][30].

The record also shows this change was foreshadowed during the 2026/27 budget consultation process in April 2026, when Council considered — but did not fund outright — enhancements to the Lynton service as part of the draft Annual Business Plan and Budget, instead flagging them as an "indication of support for further consideration" [18][19]. A related but separate proposal to halve the cost of a second household green bin was unsuccessful [32].

Timeline

14 July 2015 — Fleet, kerb and waste service levels reported

An item report on service levels [Item 7.1] described the Lynton Transfer Station's operations, stating Council provided "a fee for service facility for the collection of green waste open first, third and fifth Saturday of the month" and committed to "provide an appropriate number of free green waste drop-off days in conjunction with the commencement of the bushfire season" [1]. This framed the Lynton facility as a hybrid paid/free model at this date.

12 April 2016 — Draft Waste Management Strategy

A discussion item [Item 9.3] presented a draft Waste Management Strategy formalising existing waste programs, explicitly listing the "Lynton Green Organics Drop-off Facility" among the services covered [2]. The strategy committed Council for the following five years to reduce waste to landfill, increase resource recovery, increase community knowledge of waste practices, and maintain cost-efficient waste and recycling services, in the context of a State Government 70% landfill-diversion target against a then-current City of Mitcham diversion rate of 56.3% [2]. This was a strategy document; no green-waste-specific council decision is recorded in this excerpt.

14 February 2017 — Notice of motion for additional free green waste days

Cr K Hockley gave notice of a motion [Item 14.2] proposing that Council arrange two additional free green waste days at Lynton to help residents remove material generated by a Christmas storm and to ensure readiness for the fire danger season, to be held before 31 March 2017, funded by $10,000 of once-off operating expenditure to be included at Budget Review 2 [3]. This was a proposal at notice-of-motion stage, not yet a Council decision. The material references a subsequent Council resolution taken on 28 February 2017 relating to free green waste days at Lynton, but the text or outcome of that resolution itself is not included in the material reviewed [4][5].

25 July 2017 — Free Green Waste Days report and resolution

An agenda item [Item 7.3, "Free Green Waste Days"] was brought to Council "to provide a response to the Council resolution from the Full Council meeting on 28 February 2017 in relation to free green waste days provided at Lynton Green Organics Drop-off Facility" [4][5].

The accompanying discussion [6] set out the service's history: the Facility opened in 2001 following a Council resolution to establish a Green Organics Drop-off Service, operating on the first, third and fifth Saturday of each month with fees applying on those normal days [6]. Free green waste days had been offered since the service commenced in 2001 to support residents preparing properties for the declared Fire Danger Season [6]. An old January 2003 Council report noted six free days were provided in 2002; the number of free days peaked at 18 in 2012, then fell to 12 in both 2015 and 2016, a reduction attributed to "the cost of operating a free green waste day and working within the allocated budget" [6]. The discussion put the cost of a free day at approximately $6,000, covering three staff, plant, equipment and disposal costs [6]. Free days held in November–December 2016 attracted 2,256 vehicles, with Belair (289), Blackwood (221), Hawthorndene (165), Colonel Light Gardens (129) and Bellevue Heights (127) most represented, and Leawood Gardens (12), Springfield (15), Urrbrae (19), Upper Sturt (19) and Netherby (20) least represented [6]. A comparison table referenced services at other Mount Lofty Ranges Fire District councils, including Adelaide Hills Council's use of set free days and a user-pays system outside those days, plus 15 additional free days it ran in response to 2016/17 storms [6].

The Council Action Sheet (recorded as at 5 October 2017) shows the resolution actually carried on this item: moved by Cr Bange, seconded by Cr Taeuber, CARRIED — Council noted the report; agreed to provide ten free green waste days in conjunction with the beginning of the Fire Danger Season; agreed to provide one free green waste day on a Saturday in January and one on a Saturday in February to assist residents maintaining their properties during the Fire Danger Season; and required all free days to be scheduled in advance to allow time for community advertising [7]. The action sheet recorded the item as "Completed," with the website updated and free days to be booked once the Fire Danger Season was defined by the Bureau of Meteorology/CFS [7].

15 May 2018 — Audit Committee: Lynton Transfer Station Green Waste Management review

An Audit Committee report [Item 5.2] recorded that a review of "Lynton Transfer Station Green Waste Management" had commenced, initially focused on improving the efficiency and rate of resident drop-off, the rate at which staff could clear and load green waste bins, the efficiency of bin compaction/use/quantity, and public and staff safety at the facility [8]. Further scope, not yet finalised, was expected to cover the provision of electronic payment at the facility and "an improved process/procedure for residents accessing Council's green waste drop-off service to enhance the service offering for private residential use and any potential cost efficiencies that result" [8].

15 July 2025 — Waste Policy Update briefing

A briefing document, "Waste Policy Update," presented the current Kerbside Waste Policy/Waste Management Policy to Council members, covering domestic waste collection (weekly 140-litre bin), fortnightly recyclable collection, and fortnightly Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) collection using a 240-litre green bin, alongside a commitment to pursue waste minimisation, a fee for additional bins, and a policy review cycle of every four years [15]. An indicative timeline in the briefing showed a draft policy Council report and endorsement, followed by community engagement, policy finalisation, and a further Council report to endorse the policy, running from around July through the remainder of the year [15]. This was a briefing/discussion document, not a recorded Council decision.

7 April 2026 — 2026/27 Budget consultation parameters

At a Council meeting on decision items for the draft 2026/27 Annual Business Plan, Budget and Long-Term Financial Plan, an agenda option ("Option C") proposed that Council consult the community on a modified budget option based on a 5.59% base rate increase to maintain existing services, cost shifting and previously committed new services, including a line item titled "Kerbside Waste Collection Services Policy Endorsement and Circular" among the previously committed new services funded at 1.12% [18]. The same agenda item proposed, as point 3, that Council add "service level changes arising from the Service Review into Council's Green Organics Drop-off Service at Lynton, including increased free green waste drop-off days and an online booking system to reduce waiting times" to the list of new services and projects considered but not included in the draft budget, "as an indication of support for further consideration" [18].

The minutes for this item record the motion being moved, seconded by Cr Tilley, including the same green-waste-related point 3 text, along with additional new-service funding options at 1.04% (unrelated to green waste, including items such as library hours, financial planning software and climate-related measures) [19]. The minutes text differs from the agenda wording on the budget's financial framing: the agenda stated additional one-off operating funding "will decrease the projected headline surplus," while the minutes record it as increasing "the projected headline deficit" [18][19]. The minutes further record an amendment moved by Cr Wells proposing Council consult on "a modified version of Budget Option B1" instead, under the same base 5.59% rate-increase parameters [19]. The material provided does not show whether the original motion or the Wells amendment was ultimately carried, nor the final resolved wording regarding the green waste service item.

Separately, reflecting on this period in a later ward report, Cr Corin McCarthy stated he had "sought from Council in April to halve the cost of second green bins from $112 per year to $56 per year," but that this was "unsuccessful" [32].

2 June 2026 — Budget consultation feedback report

An agenda item [Item 6.1] presenting consultation feedback on the draft 2026/27 Annual Business Plan, Budget and Long-Term Financial Plan for Council's information stated that "projects and services in the final 2026/27 Annual Business Plan, Budget and Long-Term Financial Plan may have cost shifting/legislative cost implications" [20]. This was a prospective statement, not a record of specific implications having occurred.

16 June 2026 — Review of the Green Organics Drop-off Service at Lynton

An agenda item [Item 10.1] set out the purpose of "presenting the completed review of the Green Organics Drop-off service at Lynton, including an analysis of usage patterns and operational performance," providing Council with options for future delivery of the service; the report noted the matter was being presented to Council because "Only Council has Delegation" [21]. This review had been preceded by an information session held on 31 March 2026 to brief Council members on the service review, with presentation slides referenced as a supporting document [21].

The Council minutes for this item record the motion, moved by Cr Morrison and seconded by Cr McCarthy, CARRIED [24]:

• Council noted the outcomes of the Green Organics Drop-off Service Review [24].
• Council endorsed changes to the service level for the Lynton Green Organics Drop-off Service to provide 22 free drop-off days per annum and to cease operating paid days as part of the service [24].
• Of the 22 free days, 16 were to be scheduled to support bushfire preparation, with the remaining 6 scheduled throughout the rest of the year, with staff delegated authority to determine timing [24].
• Council noted the service changes would include operational changes such as online booking and capacity limitations, aimed at improving efficiency, effectiveness and resident experience [24].
• Council noted this represented an increase in service level from 12 to 22 free days [24].
• Council noted the net impact of the enhancements and service level change was cost neutral compared with the existing budget [24].
• Council resolved to review the service after 12 months to assess its effectiveness [24].

Two other items on the same meeting date carried only boilerplate implication disclosures without a stated substantive subject in the material provided: Item 10.7, recording "Nil" across environmental, cost-shifting, budget/resourcing and risk headings [22]; and Item 13.1, recording "N/A" across environmental, cost-shifting and budget/resourcing headings [23].

The Outstanding Resolutions record for this item shows the resolution as "Outstanding," with progress described as "Developing media publicity material, booking platform and updating Green Organics webpage and 2026/27 open day calendar" [31].

14 July 2026 — Policy implementation resourcing

Item 10.4 on this date records "Nil" environmental and cost-shifting implications, but for budget and resourcing implications states that "implementation of the policy will be managed within existing operational resources" [26]. The specific policy referenced is not named in the excerpt, though it follows the Waste Policy Update timeline foreshadowed in July 2025 [15].

August 2026 — Public-facing confirmation of the free-only service

The council's "Garden waste drop-off facility" webpage states: "From September City of Mitcham residents can dispose of excess garden organic waste free of charge at the Lynton Green Organics Drop-off Facility," having "introduced additional free drop-off days throughout the year and an online booking system to make visits easier, reduce waiting times and improve safety" [30]. The facility, located on Beagle Terrace, Lynton, is described as open March to September 9am–3pm and October to February 8am–2pm, available only to City of Mitcham residents maintaining their own properties (not to commercial operators or trucks) [30]. From September, "all Council-operated drop-off days are free for City of Mitcham residents and require an online booking," with a booking function noted as "Coming Soon" [30]. The page states that most free drop-off days are scheduled during bushfire preparation season, with the remaining six held throughout the rest of the year [30].

The council's "About your bins" webpage describes the household green bin (FOGO) service, noting that "excess garden material can be taken to Lynton green organics drop-off facility" [27].

The council's disaster risk reduction page lists "Free green waste drop-offs for community" among activities Council undertakes to reduce disaster risk [29].

The council's "Our services during catastrophic or extreme fire risk days" page states that the Lynton facility will be kept open unless unsafe to do so, and will close once the fire behaviour index is declared 75 or over [33].

The August 2026 edition of Mitcham Community News, presenting the City of Mitcham Annual Business Plan 2026/2027, quotes the Mayor, Dr Heather Holmes-Ross, stating: "By changing the way we manage free green waste drop-off days residents will now be able to access additional free days throughout the year which will help with bushfire preparedness" [28]. The same article records an average rate increase of 6.38%, equivalent to $151 per household, and lists new and improved services for 2026/27 including an Affordable Household Energy program, dedicated Long-Term Financial Planning Software, Increasing Library Operating Hours, and Local Area Traffic Management works, alongside other budget commitments such as tennis court public access, community energy programs, and a new electric community bus [28].

A July 2026 Mitcham Community News ward report from Cr Corin McCarthy (The Park Ward) states he was "expecting we'll see an increase in the number of free drop-off days at Lynton Depot – especially during peak times in late spring and then autumn," linking this to bushfire preparation and the need for "more cost-effective green waste solutions," while noting her unsuccessful April proposal to halve the second green bin fee and her intention to "keep advocating for cost effective access to a second green bin" [32].

The Outstanding Resolutions Report as at 3 August 2026 records a broader set of outstanding council resolutions across multiple subject areas, of which the Lynton Green Organics Drop-off Service Review resolution is one entry, with implementation described as in progress (media, booking platform and webpage updates) [34][31].

Key findings

• The Lynton Green Organics Drop-off Facility has operated since 2001 on a model combining paid opening days (1st, 3rd and 5th Saturdays) with a variable number of free days tied to bushfire preparation [6].
• The number of free days fluctuated substantially over time: 6 in 2002, rising to a peak of 18 in 2012, falling to 12 in 2015 and 2016, before Council fixed the allocation at 12 (10 plus one each in January and February) by resolution on 25 July 2017 [6][7].
• The 2017 report quantified the cost of a single free day at approximately $6,000, covering staff, plant, equipment and disposal, and attributed reductions in free days to budget constraints [6].
• A 2018 audit-driven review targeted operational efficiency at the Lynton site, including electronic payment and process improvements for private residential access [8].
• A dedicated 2025–2026 Service Review, briefed to Council members on 31 March 2026, led to a 16 June 2026 Council resolution that ceased paid drop-off days entirely and increased the free-day allocation from 12 to 22 per year (16 for bushfire preparation, 6 spread through the year), supported by online booking and capacity limitations, and assessed by Council as cost neutral overall [21][24].
• Council resolved to review the new service arrangement after 12 months [24].
• The April 2026 budget consultation process treated further Lynton service enhancements (increased free days, online booking) as an item of "indication of support for further consideration," separate from the funded new-services list, at a time preceding the June 2026 resolution [18][19].
• A separate proposal to halve the annual fee for a second household green bin, raised by Cr McCarthy, did not succeed [32].
• By August 2026, council public-facing material confirmed the free-only, booking-based service was taking effect from September 2026 [28][30].

Open questions

• The text and final outcome of the 28 February 2017 Council resolution on free green waste days, referenced in the July 2017 report, is not included in the material reviewed [4][5].
• Whether an officer/CEO response disputing the need for additional free days accompanied Cr Hockley's February 2017 notice of motion is not shown in the excerpt of that agenda item provided in this material [3].
• The substantive subject matter of several boilerplate "implications" agenda items (29 November 2022, 31 January 2023, 14 March 2023, 11 April 2023, 9 May 2023, 11 July 2023, 14 October 2025 [two items], 16 June 2026 Items 10.7 and 13.1, and 30 June 2026) is not identified in the excerpts, so their relevance, if any, to the green waste service cannot be confirmed [9][10][11][12][13][14][16][17][22][23][25].
• Whether the original Option C motion or Cr Wells' amendment (modified Budget Option B1) was ultimately carried at the 7 April 2026 meeting, and the final resolved wording regarding the Lynton Green Organics Drop-off Service item, is not shown in the material [19].
• The agenda text and minutes for the 7 April 2026 item differ on the described financial effect of additional one-off operating funding (a decrease in projected headline surplus versus an increase in projected headline deficit); the material does not explain this discrepancy [18][19].
• Which specific policy is referenced in the 14 July 2026 item stating implementation would be "managed within existing operational resources" is not named in the excerpt, though it may relate to the Kerbside Waste Policy review foreshadowed in July 2025 [15][26].
• The online booking platform for the Lynton facility is described on the council website as "Coming Soon," and the material does not show whether it had launched by August 2026 [30][31].