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Waste management guidelines

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City of Casey waste and recycling services

Overview

The City of Casey’s preference is for all residential developments to be serviced by Council’s kerbside waste collection service. The design of residential developments should allow for a Council waste collection service to be utilised, providing all residents with access to a satisfactory and cost-effective waste and recycling service.

Where Council collection is not possible or considered impractical for Council’s waste collection contractor, a private collection contractor can be utilised at the discretion of Council’s Waste Management Team.

Garbage, recycling and food organics & garden waste (FOGO) collection in the City of Casey takes place using driver-operated trucks with bins collected from the left-hand side of the vehicles using a mechanical arm. This eliminates the need for manual handling by drivers and its associated risks. 
Where possible, it is preferable that waste collection takes place from the property frontage (i.e. kerbside), although in many cases this may not be practicable for numerous reasons, including occupational health and safety issues, the impact of a large number of bins on the visual amenity of the area or because there is not enough room on the property frontage. 
In 2020, food waste recycling was rolled out in the City of Casey. All Casey residents can now put household food scraps straight into their Maroon garden waste bin. Council collects resident’s garden and food waste to create compost.

Council bin specifications

Table 2 outlines Council’s standard kerbside waste service that are provided to residents. Residential developments are required to utilise the garden waste service, unless the property size is less than 400m2 or greater than 20,000m2. In this case, the resident can opt out of the garden waste service.

By 2027, City of Casey will be adopting a fourth glass recycling bin. The 120L bin, will allow residents to separate glass bottles and glass jars from their current recycling bin for more effective recycling.

Table 2: Council residential waste collection and bin details

  Garbage Bin (120L) Recycling Bin Garden Waste Bin
Bin image Waste bin with dimensions Recycling bin with dimensions Garden waste bin with dimensions
Colour Dark green body with dark green lid Blue body with blue lid Maroon body with bright green lid
Entitlement 80L or 120L 240L 240L
Collection frequency Weekly Fortnightly Fortnightly

Table 3: Council waste and recycling bin dimensions

Bin Size Width Depth Height
80L 480mm 550mm 870mm
120L 480mm 600mm 900mm
240L 600mm 750mm 1030mm

Collection operations

The road layout of the development must be designed to allow for Council’s waste contractor collection vehicle fleet. Table 4 outlines the Council vehicle sizes that need to be considered when planning for a new multi-unit development. The vehicle must enter and exit a development in a forward direction, this is to be outlined in swept path diagrams provided with the application. Only one 3 point turn by the waste vehicles is permitted within the development.

Table 4: Council vehicle sizes

Specification Side Loader (MRV
Height 3.97 metres (4.25m with lifting arm extended)
Width 2.50 metres (5.98m with lifting arm extended
Length 9.87 metres
Weight 23 tonne

In the coming years, Council may introduce a smaller vehicle into its contractor’s fleet to allow for collection within multi-unit developments that currently cannot be accessed by the standard waste collection vehicle.

Spacing requirements for bin placement

The following is required when designing space requirements for bin collection points on the property frontage (kerbside):

  • A minimum length of 2.5m for each set of garbage and recycling waste bins (per dwelling) with 300mm between bins and each set of bins (by 2027, every four weeks three bins will be on the nature strip for collection, which include a garbage bin, a recycling or FOGO bin and a new glass recycling bin). Therefore, the previous minimum length for bin spacing of 1.7m for each set, has increased to 2.5m. Applicants will need to consider this additional space when designing new developments.
  • 1.0m clearance around each row of bins to allow sufficient space to ensure that bins do not hit any obstacle(s) in the lifting process during collection (ie, street trees, poles, hydrants, parking signs etc). 


If there is insufficient space between bins, the mechanical arm will not be able to safely collect bins. Consideration should also be given to large households who may have additional bins. 

Collection from court bowls and laneways

Court bowls

The existing bin collection points for the adjoining properties within the court bowl and the proposed development must be taken into consideration when identifying the bin collection point for the multi-unit dwellings at the subject land. Council’s contractors do not collect bins from the court bowl and current arrangement is for existing dwellings to place their bins along the straight sections of the court.

Laneways

The following requirements must be taken into consideration for developments within a laneway.

  • Waste collection must occur from one side of the laneway only.
  • There must be sufficient length in the laneway on one side for the placement of bins for each dwelling (allowing 2.5m for each set of bins) without blocking or hindering access to and from garages.
  • A designated bin collection point for each dwelling must be shown on the plans with a clearance of 1.0m from any wall or obstruction behind the bins to allow for the vehicle’s lifting action.
  • Laneway must be provided with appropriate signage stating ‘No Parking in laneway on bin collection day’.
  • Adequate turning access from the adjoining road/s to enable the vehicle to enter and exit the laneway satisfactorily.

Planning permit application requirements

The requirements for planning applications for multi-unit developments are outlined in this Section.

The following detail is needed to enable the design and operation of the waste management services to be considered and for advice to be provided to the applicant.

Waste management plans

A Waste Management Plan (prepared by a suitably qualified consultant) is required to be submitted as part of the application for multi-unit developments with six or more dwellings, mixed use developments and commercial developments.

For multi-unit developments with five or less dwellings, a site plan outlining the waste management requirements is to be supplied by the applicant. Further information is provided in Section 8.1.

The Waste Management Plan must include full details of the development proposal including the following information:

  • Land use type, including number of dwellings
  • Size of each development
  • Waste generation rates and calculations for garbage, recycling, garden, FOGO and hard waste
  • Waste systems for garbage, recycling, FOGO, garden and hard waste
  • Bin quantity and size
  • Bin storage location and sizing
  • Hard waste storage location area
  • Bin access, waste sporting and bin transfer information
  • Collection arrangements
  • Signage

Further detail in relation to the specific requirements of a Waste Management Plan is outlined in Section 8.

Scaled drawing and swept path diagrams

In addition to the above, scaled drawings and swept path diagrams (where relevant) must be included in the Waste Management Plan. See section 9 for further detail on scaled drawings and swept path diagram requirements.

Indemnity

City of Casey will allow on-site collection if any of the following apply:

  • There is insufficient space on the kerbside for bin collection.
  • Kerbside collection is unsafe.
  • Kerbside collection causes significant traffic disruption.
  • Kerbside collection occurs in a restrictive area.
  • Kerbside collection is considered inappropriate by Council.

Council or its contractors will not enter private property unless indemnity against liabilities, losses, damages and other costs arising from the onsite collection service has been provided. If onsite collection is approved by Council, indemnity in the form of a Section 173 must be entered into by Council and the owners of the property.

Waste management requirements for developments

Section 7 is intended to assist applicants in understanding the waste management requirements within City of Casey according to the development type.

When designing developments, consideration must be made in relation to bin placement and collection locations, bin storage areas and hard waste collection locations.

Multi-Unit Developments with Five Dwellings or less

  • Council standard waste and recycle services apply, including hard waste collection.
  • Sufficient space for two bins (garbage and recycling) or three bins (inclusive of garden waste) per dwelling – refer to 'Spacing Requirements for Bin Placement'.
  • Bins to be placed on the property frontage (kerbside). If the bins cannot be placed on the property frontage, refer to 'Multi-Unit Developments for Six or More Dwellings'.
  • Sufficient space for bin storage within the private open space of each dwelling or other suitable area considered satisfactory by Council.
  • Waste Management Plan not required, however bin collection points and bin storage areas to be shown on site plans. (See Section 9 for site plan requirements).

Multi-Unit Developments with Six or more Dwellings

Where it is considered there is insufficient space to collect from the property frontage (kerbside), arrangements for an on-site collection will be required as follows:

Option 1 – Council kerbside or on-site collection

Where it is considered there is insufficient space to collect from the property frontage (kerbside), arrangements for an on-site collection will be required as follows:

  • Council standard waste and recycle services apply, including hard waste collection.
  • Sufficient space for two bins (garbage and recycle) or three bins (inclusive of garden waste) per dwelling.
  • Waste Management Plan required.
  • Indemnity in the form of a Section 173 required where Council can only service bins within internal private roads.
  • Sufficient space for bin storage within the private open space of each dwelling or other suitable area considered satisfactory by Council.
  • Swept path diagram required (where collection occurs on-site).
  • Hard waste collection compound required for 12 or more dwellings and collection from kerbside occurs.

Option 2 – Private on-site waste collection

  • Collection to be undertaken using a private waste contractor for bin services and hard waste collection.
  • Residents will not be charged for a Council waste service.
  • Waste Management Plan required.
  • Swept path diagram required.
  • Sufficient space for two bins (garbage and recycle) or three bins (inclusive of garden waste) per dwelling.
  • Sufficient space for bin storage within the private open space of each dwelling or other suitable area considered satisfactory by Council.

Apartment developments

Option 1 – Council kerbside collection

  • Council standard waste and recycle services apply, including hard waste collection.
  • Sufficient space for two bins (garbage and recycle) per dwelling.
  • Bins to be placed on the property frontage (kerbside). If the bins cannot be placed on the property frontage, refer to 'Multi-Unit Developments with Six or More Dwellings'.
  • Waste Management Plan required.
  • Sufficient space for bin storage within the private open space of each dwelling or other suitable area considered satisfactory by Council

Option 2 – Bin storage in apartment complex basement

  • Council does not currently supply a waste collection service where bins are stored in an apartment complex basement, however this may change in the future. Contact Council’s Waste Management Team on 9705 5200 for more information.

The following is required, regardless whether Council or private collection:

  • Waste Management Plan required.
  • Swept path diagram required.

Mixed use developments

  • Provision of waste and recycling services by Council to commercial premises is done as an optional user pays, with Commercial waste charges being allocated to the Rates Notice. Traders can elect to use the Council service where appropriate or a private contractor. Contact Council’s Waste Management Team on 9705 5200 for more information.

The following is required, regardless whether Council or private collection:

  • Waste Management Plan required indicating requirements for both commercial and residential waste management.
  • Swept path diagram required.

Commercial developments

  • Provision of waste and recycle services by Council to commercial premises is done as an optional user pays, with Commercial waste charges being allocated to the Rates Notice. Traders can elect to use the Council service where appropriate or a private contractor. Contact Council’s Waste Management Team on 9705 5200 for more information.

The following is required, regardless whether Council or private collection:

  • Waste Management Plan required.
  • Swept path diagram required.

Waste Management plan requirements

When required, a Waste Management Plan must be submitted with the application. The Waste Management Plan is to include full details of the development proposal to ensure waste management has been considered for multi-unit developments.

This section outlines the specific requirements of the Waste Management Plan.

Land use type

The applicant is to provide a summary of the proposed development, including:

  • Number of residential dwellings;
  • Number and floor area of commercial tenancies;
  • Number of floors;
  • Dimensions of street frontages;
  • Location of vehicle access points

Waste generation rates and calculations

Waste generation rates for a private residential or commercial development must be calculated when a Waste Management Plan is required as supporting documentation with the application. Calculating garbage and recycling waste generation rates will help determine the number and types of bins the development will require.

Private residential waste generation rates

Table 6 outlines the potential waste generated for one, two and three bedroom dwellings.

Table 6: Private residential developments waste generation rates

Dwelling Size Garbage (L/week Recycling (L/week
Studio / One Bedroom 80L 40L
Two Bedroom 100L 60L
Three Bedroom or greater 120L 60L

Commercial developments waste generation rates

Council collection for commercial developments in provided in Table 7 below. Bins must be presented on the kerbside for collection. Waste volumes greater than those in Table 7 require a private waste collection for each stream. Council does not offer a FOGO garden waste or hard waste service for commercial developments.

Table 7: Commercial bins supplied by Council

Bin type Collection frequency
2 x Garbage 120L Weekly
2 x Recycle 240L Fortnightly
Garden waste Not provided
Hard waste Not provided

Table 8 outlines the potential waste generated for commercial developments.

Table 8: Commercial developments waste generation rates

Type of Premises Garbage generation Recycling generation
Food premises
Restaurants 660L/100m2 floor areas/day 200L/100m2 floor areas/day
Supermarkets 660L/100m2 floor areas/day 240L/100m2 floor areas/day
Convenience Store 300L/100m2 floor areas/day 150L/100m2 floor areas/day
Café 300L/100m2 floor areas/day 200L/100m2 floor areas/day
Takeaway / Café
(pre-packaged food only
150L/100m2 floor areas/day 150L/100m2 floor areas/day
Commercial (non-food)
Education / Training 5L/100m2 floor areas/day 5L/100m2 floor areas/day
Offices 10L/100m2 floor areas/day 10L/100m2 floor areas/day
Shops 50L/100m2 floor areas/day 50L/100m2 floor areas/day
Warehouses (office 10L/100m2 floor areas/day 10L/100m2 floor areas/day
Childcare 350L/100m2 floor areas/week 350L/100m2 floor areas/week
Gym 10L/100m2 floor areas/day 10L/100m2 floor areas/day
Other Accommodation
Retirement Village 60L/apartment/week 60L/apartment/week
Independent Living 80L/apartment/week 80L/apartment/week

(Guidelines for preparing a waste management plan – City of Melbourne, 2015)

Bin quantity and size

The Waste Management Plan must include the number of bins and sizes. The City of Casey standard bin sizes for residential developments are outlined in Table 1. For both residential and commercial developments, the applicant must calculate the quantity and dimension of bins to demonstrate the adequacy of bins storage areas and street frontages (where relevant) to accommodate bin storage and collection.

Bin storage location and sizing

The Waste Management Plan must include information on bin storage locations. Bin storage areas must be located within the property and must not be visible from the street. Each waste stream is to be clearly labelled and for Mixed Use developments, residential waste must be kept separated from commercial waste. For commercial developments, a bin storage area or multiple areas for large developments must be provided. When designing bin rooms for apartment buildings or commercial developments, the following details must be provided:

  • Bin room size;
  • Bin Layout;
  • Wash down areas;
  • Ventilation;
  • Vermin, odour and noise prevention.

Hard waste storage location area

A hard waste collection is provided by Council twice yearly for all residential developments with a Council waste service. For residential properties with a private collection or commercial properties, Council does not provide a hard waste collection service.

Provision must be made for hard waste storage location collection area.

Bin access

A detailed summary must be provided of how residents will access bins, sort waste and how bins will be transported from the bin storage area to the collection point.

Collection arrangements

The Waste Management Plan and application plans must demonstrate how bins are to be transferred to the collection vehicles. Plans must show the location and configuration of bins at the point of collection.

Supporting information and drawings

The applicant must provide scaled drawings to support the application.

Marked-up drawings to scale (1:100 to 1:200) must be submitted to demonstrate how the waste management requirements for the development have been met.

The following plans should be included with the application.

Bin storage areas

  • Bin storage area/s size (m2);
  • Bin types/layout (show bins clearly labelled or coloured for each waste stream);
  • Screening and amenity measures.

Bin collection points

  • For kerbside collection, site plan identifying bin presentation location with bin alignment shown (for each dwelling),and indicating all street furniture, poles, signs, street lights, trees;
  • For on-site collection, bin collection area/s to be shown;
  • Swept paths for collection vehicles, demonstrating maneuverability of collection vehicles ensuring entry and exit in a forward direction;
  • Transfer paths and gradients from bins storage to bin collection areas;
  • Basement clearances, if applicable;
  • Location of hard waste storage/green waste storage.

More information

For clarification or any other queries regarding the preparation of a Waste Management plan please contact Sustainability and Waste Department on 9705 5200. To lodge a planning application and/or WMP please email to [email protected].

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