VIC · Melbourne — outer eastern suburbs · Local council, made simple
Knox City Council
A council in Melbourne's outer eastern suburbs, home to about 164,000 people. It covers Boronia, Ferntree Gully, Rowville, Wantirna, Bayswater, Scoresby, Knoxfield and neighbouring suburbs. The council runs your bins, local roads and footpaths, parks, and planning, and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, followed by what affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, the garbage charge, and when it's due.
2026–27: general rates +2.75% (state cap); garbage charge $434.55
Open →Budget & financesKnox's financial indicators, each shown next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $1,732 (Vic median $1,937)
Open →Crime & safetyKnox's recorded offence rates, side by side with the Victorian rate.
10 of 11 offence rates below the Victorian rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour ward councillor, the Mayor, and how to contact them.
Mayor: Cr Paige Kennett (2025–26)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, how Knox's wards vote, and the 2024 results.
Next election: Sat 28 Oct 2028 (by post)
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council: phone, counter hours and address.
Phone: (03) 9298 8000
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: 163,820 (ABS, June 2025)
Open →What's happening
5 updatesRecent items from Knox City Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Have your say
Have your say on transport in Knox (closes 25 October)
The council is asking residents how they get around and what would make travel easier, to shape a draft Integrated Transport Strategy. Feedback is open online and at pop-up sessions until 25 October 2026.
What this means for you: If you drive, walk, cycle, use public transport or a mobility aid in Knox, you can tell the council what matters most before 25 October.
Source: Knox City Council — News
- Waste
Council calls on the state to pause the glass bin rollout
Knox says it is among 39 Victorian councils asking the state to pause the mandatory purple glass bin, due by mid-2027, release the business case and look at expanding the Container Deposit Scheme. The council cites a May survey in which nearly 86% of Knox respondents opposed a fourth bin.
What this means for you: Nothing changes for now: glass bottles and jars still go in your recycling bin. The state's timetable and the council's response may change.
Source: Knox City Council — News
- Waste
Recycling bin lids change from blue to yellow from 20 July
From Monday 20 July 2026 the council began changing more than 60,000 recycling bin lids from blue to yellow, to match the state's standard lid colours. Collections continue as normal during the change.
What this means for you: Leave your recycling bin out until 6pm on collection day until you get a yellow lid. Contact the council only if you haven't got one by 1 February 2027.
Source: Knox City Council — News
- Policy
2026–27 budget adopted: rates up 2.75% on average
The council adopted its 2026–27 budget on 22 June 2026: $130.8 million for services and $54.6 million for capital works. The average rate rise is 2.75%, the state cap; the Residential Garbage Charge is $434.55.
What this means for you: Your 2026–27 rates notice reflects this budget. See the Rates & fees page for due dates and concessions.
Source: Knox City Council — News
- Election
Cr Paige Kennett elected Mayor
The councillors elected Cr Paige Kennett (Chandler Ward) as Mayor of Knox for the next year, and Cr Chris Duncan (Collier Ward) as Deputy Mayor.
What this means for you: The councillors choose the Mayor each year. The next vote is at the council meeting on 19 November 2026.
Source: Knox City Council — News
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Knox City Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.