The trial, as detailed in council’s draft plan for 2017-2021, is to divert material from landfill.

In 2016/17 the waste management charge per property was $266.50. It will increase to $287.12, the 2017/18 draft budget shows.

A council spokesman said the increase covered weekly household waste collection and disposal, and fortnightly collection of recyclables.

“Street and footpath cleaning is also provided as part of the waste management charge along with litter collection in parks and gardens,” he said.

“A food organics and garden organics (FOGO) collection service will be trialled.”

The spokesman said the increased charge would fund the green waste collection trial and also covered increases in the cost of waste collection and treatment/disposal.

The trial is still under development but is likely to include the involvement of 10 per cent of Warrnambool households, a fortnightly collection alternating with recyclables, the purchase of dedicated bins and kitchen caddies and surveys and audits to gauge the effectiveness of, and support for food and garden organics collection.

The spokesman said the draft plan identified a shift in emphasis towards the city operating in a more sustainable manner.

“While the council remains committed to operating in a financially sustainable way, it is also responding to the community’s call to do more for the environment,” the spokesman said.

“So among the initiatives planned is another investigation into the interest in, and viability of, collection of organic food and garden waste. Council is interested in diverting waste from landfill where possible. This is done through waste minimisation and recycling while a food organics/green organics waste collection also offers the potential for more waste diversion and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

“Over time the cost of collecting and treating or disposing of household waste increases. Council also plans to trial an organics waste collection and these costs are reflected in the increased waste management charge.”