Council & Politics
23 April, 2026
Bealiba preparing to pack up and shift shires
“I’m sure Loddon Shire would welcome the millions of dollars and allow us to keep our transfer stations.”
DISGRUNTLED Bealiba residents say they are ready to pack up and move shires if Central Goldfields Shire closes the town’s rubbish tip.
Following a robust town meeting last week, people living in the Central Goldfields Shire Council are weighing their options that will allow them to keep their “essential service”.
People made their thoughts completely clear at the meeting that was held after the council announced closing the transfer stations as part of its plans to save more than $3 million in its next budget.
And Bealiba isn’t accepting compromise as an option.
Residents have continued to question why council would prioritise funding projects such as a dog park or lighting sports facilities over keeping their tip open.
“Do you feel duty bound to a council that is willing to kill off small communities to enable works projects benefitting mainly Maryborough city?” Bealiba tip worker and resident Warren ‘Wozza’ Giles said.
“How is it fair that we continue to pay for a service like a tip through our rates when it’s threatening to be closed?
“Are we dead set on giving Central Goldfields Shire our hard earned coin, only to have our essential services revoked in order to pay for a dog park?”
Mr Giles has done his research and suggested joining the neighbouring Loddon Shire would be a better fit.
“I’m sure Loddon Shire would welcome the millions of dollars and allow us to keep our transfer stations,” he said.
Residents threatened to dump rubbish in local forest areas, part pay their rates and continue contacting council with their concerns if they were to close the tips in Bealiba, Talbot and Dunolly.
CEO Peter Harriott said drastic action was needed to prevent the Council incurring an ongoing deficit and low cash-based budgets.
“Insurance costs have risen 20% and materials and construction expenses continue to climb,” he said. “State Government funding has not kept pace with the services we deliver on their behalf.”
Residents will have to wait until April 29 to learn the tip’s fate.
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