Council calls on Halls Gap property owners to comply with local laws
Published on 11 March 2026
Northern Grampians Shire Council is calling on Halls Gap property owners to adhere to local laws amid long-running complaints about rubbish and recycling spilling from kerbside bins.
Many Halls Gap residents are disappointed with the negative impact that rubbish spilling or blowing away from tipped or open bins is having on the town’s amenity, environmental health, tourism appeal and wildlife.
Deputy mayor Justine Hide said while birds and wind played a role in the mess, so did property owners who did not comply with council’s local laws.
“Halls Gap has a high proportion of short-stay accommodation, properties without on-site caretakers, and interstate or absentee property owners,” she said.
“All property owners are required to adhere to council’s General Local Law 2022, which outlines specific requirements for the management of kerbside bins.”
In accordance with Clause 18 – Waste and Recycling:
- A waste or recycling bin awaiting collection of its contents must not be placed on a road, or on any other municipal place, more than 24 hours prior to the collection day.
- A waste or recycling bin must be removed from a road or any other municipal place within 24 hours of the collection day.
- The owner or occupier of premises must remove any materials which have spilled from the property’s waste or recycling bin onto a road, or any other municipal place.
“Despite these rules, community members continue to report that many bins are left permanently on the roadside, allowing rubbish to be accessed by birds and blown throughout the town,” Cr Hide said.
“Council will be undertaking enforcement against offending properties. Staff have already begun patrols of Halls Gap to better understand the extent of the problem. Properties found to be non-compliant will be issued with a notice requiring adherence to General Local Law 2022.
“If compliance is not achieved, infringement notices may be issued in accordance with the local law.”
To help residents keep rubbish and recycling in their appropriate bins, council will sell Litter Lock bin straps at cost price.
At a meeting last week, council approved a budget variation to allocate $20,000 towards the purchase of Litter Lock devices, which are only available for purchase in bulk.
The Council Plan 2025-29 identifies investigation of a suitable solution to the problem in the 2026-27 financial year. Therefore, the budget variation will enable council to purchase the devices ahead of schedule.
“Residents have called on us to help find a solution to the mess, and as a result, we are pleased to make the Litter Lock devices available to the community at cost price,” Cr Hide said.
A Litter Lock is a simple fastening device designed to ensure the lid of residential wheelie bins remains closed until the bin is collected.
The device is designed for easy use by householders, with a push of the thumb allowing the lid to be opened as normal. The lock is re-engaged when the lid is pushed down again.
Installation takes less than two minutes using a drill and a screwdriver. The device is also designed to be disengaged by rubbish trucks during collection.
Each unit will cost about $40.
Residents will be required to fit the devices themselves, although council can install the Litter Locks for a fee, subject to staff availability.
In 2020-21, council supplied bin straps to the community in an effort to mitigate windblown litter.
Cr Hide said this approach aimed to resolve the issue without resorting to punitive measures against property owners for failing to correctly manage their kerbside bins.
“However, feedback indicates that the straps have not been effective in deterring cockatoos, and the problem persists,” she said.
“Last year, council trialled Litter Lock devices with residents. The Litter Lock is spring loaded, making it difficult for birds to open. When a bin is pushed over, the lid will remain closed due to the design.
“Reports from other councils and Halls Gap locals who have trialled the device say that it works against cockatoos. As a result, we will be making them available for the whole community to purchase.
“The devices are not compulsory, and the community is welcome to find their own solution to the problem. However, if their solution fails, they will need to find another one to avoid being fined.”
Cr Hide said while Litter Lock was council’s preferred option, residents could pursue alternative products at their own expense, such as a Wheelie Latch device, which is made in Halls Gap and costs $20 installed.
She said property owners might need two devices, one for each bin.
Council has ordered Litter Lock devices and more information about how to purchase them will be available in the next fortnight.