Here is some information to help you engage with your local Councillor either in person or via email about the Mt Alexander Organics Partnership’s (MAOP) proposed trial of a home-grown, whole-of-shire organics system

Key ask:

• We understand that Council will be asked to vote on the introduction of FOGO, the green bin, very soon, possibly at the next Council meeting on 18 August.

• We are calling on you as our representative local Councilor to delay the decision on FOGO until Sept 2027.

• The MAOP model proposes an alternative, locally-run, whole-of-shire system to keep food and garden organics out of landfill and has money behind it.

• MAOP is keen to work with Council on the trial in whatever capacity it can.

• YIMBY’s petition speaks to the high level of interest this community has in doing the best we can with our organics.

• What we learn in the next year through this trial will help Council have a clearer  picture of what’s needed in our Shire and whether FOGO (the green bin) is part of that or not. Importantly, it will also bring the community along on the journey, ensuring greater awareness and support for whichever model Council ends up endorsing. 

Background

• Our community is passionate about reducing waste, reducing emissions from landfill and rejuvenating our soils.

• MAOP is a new partnership bringing together key local organisations, businesses, experts and individuals to trial a local system for managing organic waste.

• Mount Alexander Shire Council and MAOP share a common objective: finding the most effective, affordable and sustainable system for managing organics across the Shire.

• Our shire is already doing a great job of keeping organic waste out of landfill through YIMBY, Greenaway and very high levels of home composting. We have data showing that we are already doing better than lots of Councils that have FOGO bins.

• We support FOGO where it’s needed – but we believe we can manage this problem locally, with a different model, and we want to trial a comprehensive whole-of-shire approach over the next year.

• MAOP has money from the community to run this trial, which will expand and scale up what we already do and pilot some exciting new options such as on-farm composting and kerbside chipping.

• FOGO is one solution but it is not the only solution. Our organics are our resource.  We just need a year to prove what this amazing community is capable of.

Visit the Mount Alexander Shire Council website to see their contact details.