Gracemere Waste Facility Changes
Trial Update - Commercial Customer Trial Concludes
The three-month trial allowing commercial cardboard and scrap metal (including white goods) to be accepted at the Gracemere Waste Facility will conclude on 31 July 2026.
From 1 August 2026, the Gracemere Waste Facility will return to its previous operating arrangements, with commercial cardboard and scrap metal (including white goods) no longer accepted at the site. These materials will continue to be accepted from domestic customers only.
The trial demonstrated that the service could be delivered without significant impacts to day-to-day operations. However, customer uptake during the trial was limited, while operating costs increased, making the service unsustainable to continue on an ongoing basis.
Council thanks local businesses and the community for their patience and cooperation throughout the trial. The feedback and operational data collected have been valuable in informing Council’s decision.
Commercial customers can continue to dispose of cardboard and scrap metal (including white goods) at the Lakes Creek Road Waste Management Facility in accordance with existing arrangements.
Commercial Customer Trial
A trial will commence from 1 March 2026 and run for three months to help Council understand the needs of local commercial customers and assess whether long‑term commercial access is feasible.
The trial applies only at the Gracemere Waste Facility and is available to Gracemere‑based commercial customers using vehicles 4.5 tonnes GVM or less. Eligible materials include cardboard and scrap metal, including white goods.
Requirements for Commercial Customers
To keep the site safe and efficient, participating customers will need to:
Sort loads so cardboard and scrap metal are separated from all other waste types, which aren’t permitted for disposal.
Remove polystyrene from cardboard and place it in the polystyrene recycling trailer.
Commercial loads of polystyrene are not permitted as part of this trial.
Remove general waste from cardboard and scrap metal, such as plastic strapping and soft plastics, which can be found in cardboard packaging.
Only small amounts of residual waste will be accepted at the Gracemere Waste Facility, less than 240 litres in size and will be charged at the minimum charge for commercial general waste disposal.
What to Expect During the Trial
Council will have additional controls in place to safely manage vehicle movements and interactions between domestic and commercial customers. Staff may adjust operations as needed, particularly in the early weeks, and the community is encouraged to be patient while the trial settles in.
Provide Feedback
The survey has now closed. Data and community feedback are currently being reviewed and will be presented to Council to inform a decision on long-term viability of the commercial service.
