Waste vouchers and hard waste collection
Council sends ratepayers two sets of waste vouchers each year:
1. Annual waste vouchers issued in July
These vouchers are sent to all ratepayers with their rates notice each July.
Vouchers can be used for:
- Green waste:
Free drop-off of up to one cubic meter of green waste at the Anglesea, Lorne and Winchelsea transfer stations during open hours.
- General waste:
Free drop-off of general waste up to the value of one cubic meter at the Anglesea, Lorne and Winchelsea transfer stations during open hours.
- Garden mulch:
Free pick up of up to one cubic meter of mulch (subject to availability) from the Anglesea, Lorne or Winchelsea transfer stations during open hours. Please call the transfer station before leaving home to check availability.
The 2025-26 vouchers are valid until 31 August 2026.
2. Garden waste (fire prevention) vouchers issued in October
These vouchers are sent to all ratepayers each October to help reduce vegetation and prepare Surf Coast Shire properties for the fire season.
Vouchers are valid to 31 January the following year.
Visit our Fire Ready page to learn how to:
- clean up and prepare your property
- landscape your Surf Coast garden for bushfire safety
- identify and remove weeds
Waste voucher FAQs
Where do I find my vouchers?
Annual waste vouchers:
If you receive your rates notice by post, your vouchers will be included with your July rates notice.
If you receive your rates notices by email, your vouchers are available via the link on the right-hand side of your email. Look for the button or tab labelled View my Rate Notice & Waste Voucher or similar.
The link will open a PDF. Scroll down past your rates notice to find your vouchers.
Vouchers are sent to ratepayer's primary postal or email address (if registered).
To update your postal address, complete the Change of Contact Details form. To change your email address to receive rates notices, log in to your account at erates.surfcoast.vic.gov.au.
If you do not have an account, please call Council on 5261 0600 to discuss.
Garden Waste (fire prevention) vouchers:
These vouchers are sent to the ratepayer's primary postal or email address (if registered) in October.
To update your postal address, complete the Change of Contact Details form. To change your email address to receive rates notices, log in to your account at erates.surfcoast.vic.gov.au.
If you do not have an account, please call Council on 5261 0600 to discuss.
I've lost my vouchers
Complete the online form and specify whether you need annual waste vouchers or garden waste (fire prevention) vouchers.
Vouchers are unique to each property and linked to an assessment number and property details. Voucher use is recorded in Council’s record system.
Council is not responsible for lost vouchers used by anyone other than the intended recipient.
Tips for using your vouchers
- Vouchers can be scanned electronically - simply show the voucher on your phone or device at the transfer station.
- Vouchers are issued once a year only (July and October). New property owners and tenants are not eligible for replacement vouchers until the following year.
- If your property is permanently rented, please pass the vouchers on to your tenant.
- Additional fees apply if your load exceeds the voucher value.
- One voucher can only be used for one load.
- Commercial, building and hazardous waste is not accepted.
- Separate your load before arriving, as some items are accepted free of charge, including:
- scrap metal
- whitegoods
- polystyrene (Anglesea & Lorne only)
- e-waste (items with a cord, plug or battery)
- batteries, including car, marine, power tool and household batteries (AAA, AA,C, D, 6V and 9V).
Kerbside hard rubbish collection
Surf Coast Shire does not provide a kerbside hard waste collection service.
Council has investigated introducing this service, but due to the high cost and large geographic area of the shire, it is not currently viable.
Large household items, such as furniture and whitegoods, can be taken to your local transfer station. The following items are accepted free of charge:
- whitegoods, such as fridges, washing machines and dryers
- scrap metal, including barbecues, metal outdoor furniture, lawnmowers and fencing
- polystyrene packaging (Anglesea & Lorne only)
- e-waste - any item with a plug, cord or battery, including televisions, appliances, computers and accessories
If you do not have access to a ute or trailer, you may wish to use a handyman or rubbish removal service.
Waste vouchers can be used to offset disposal fees for items not accepted free of charge.