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Last Updated: Friday, 27 June 2025 08:55

Published: Friday, 27 June 2025 08:55

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is responding to residents’ concerns relating to the August 1, 2025 closure of the Millmerran district’s six rural bin stations.

TRC Waste Services portfolio spokesperson Cr Melissa Taylor said Council was aware of community concerns around the Millmerran district waste service changes.

“We’ve listened to the community concerns following the decision to permanently close the Millmerran district bin stations,” Cr Taylor said.

“Based on this feedback, we acknowledge that we need to improve our communication with the affected property owners. We will be sending affected residents further information about the closures, including information about the type of waste that can be disposed of and recycled at the Millmerran Waste Management Facility.

“A Millmerran Waste Management Facility service level review found that the provision of six bin stations, outside Millmerran, substantially exceeded Council’s whole-of-Region waste facility service levels.

“The change will align the Millmerran district waste service levels with the Region’s waste service delivery levels. These bin stations, and subsequent service, are not offered anywhere else across the Toowoomba Region.

“The bin stations incorporated several large industrial-style bins located near major roads. Users were required to travel to them to dispose their waste, unaided by gatehouse operators or other staff who are available to assist at our facilities like the Millmerran Waste Management Facility.

“Millmerran district residents with an existing kerbside waste collection service will not be affected by these changes. Residents not currently serviced by a kerbside collection service could contact Council on 131 872 to lodge an expression of interest to have a kerbside collection at their property. The Waste Services team will review this request and advise if it would be possible.

“Data shows that approximately 85% of Millmerran district residents use the Millmerran Waste Management Facility. Residents can feel assured that the facility has the capacity to accommodate customers who may have previously used the bin stations.

“The diversion rates for the Millmerran Waste Management Facility and the bin stations are well below the 54% diversion rate of all our Region’s waste facilities. This highlights the opportunities for improving waste disposal practices and diverting more waste from landfill at Millmerran.

“By improving the diversion of waste from our landfill operations, Council can reduce the impost of the State Waste levy, or the ‘bin tax’, while also promoting further environmental benefits and recycle precious resources where possible.

“Council is working to transition in line with the state government targets for 90% of our waste being reused and diverted from landfill by 2050.

“Council is committed to working with residents across the Region to improve the diversion rate of waste from our landfills to ensure a better outcome for the whole community and the environment.

“The decision was prompted partly by inappropriate usage of the bin stations, including the disposal of commercial waste and waste from residents outside the Toowoomba Region, all of which added to operating costs that have been passed onto ratepayers across the Region.

“Council must comply with stringent state and federal government obligations that include higher standards for operating disposal sites, coupled with a stronger focus on recycling and landfill diversion. These requirements could not be achieved at the bin stations.

“Council intends to remediate the closed bin sites and will monitor the locations for instances of illegal dumping or misuse following the closures. Illegal dumping is unacceptable, and Council will take enforcement action to avoid clean-up costs being met by ratepayers.

“Council’s June 2025 Ordinary Meeting also endorsed reviewing the removal of the bin stations, with costs and savings to be monitored and reported back to Council in a year’s time.”

Council will also be reviewing the broader Waste Strategy with all services and locations to be reviewed to ensure that the service provided to the community is affordable and meets community expectations.

For details about waste facilities, visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/waste 

The Millmerran district bin stations include:

• Bringalily Bin Station: Bringalily Creek Road, Bringalily,
• Kooroongarra Bin Station: Hain Road, Kooroongarra,
• Rocky Creek Bin Station: corner of Moffatt Reserve Road and Rocky Creek Road, Rocky Creek,
• Rural Residential No.1 Bin Station: corner of Moffatt Road and Millmerran Woods Road, Millmerran,
• Rural Residential No.2 Bin Station: Paddy’s Creek Road, Millmerran, and
• Turallin Bin Station: corner of Turallin Road and Main Street, Turallin.

Millmerran Waste Management Facility hours, Owens Scrub Road, Millmerran (access via Foxwood Road): Monday 1-5pm; Wednesday 8am to noon; Friday 1-5pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 3pm. Customers with domestic and household waste can dispose of up to 400kg per visit free of charge at any waste management facility across the Region (with limits on items specifically listed in the fees and charges, e.g., car batteries, oils and tyres).