Woodend customer service closure

Last updated on 28 August 2025

This page provides information relating to Council's decision to close the customer service offering at the Woodend Community Centre, effective 1 January 2026.

This decision was endorsed by Council at the August 2025 Council Meeting.

Please note that this decision only relates to Council's customer service offering at the Woodend Community Centre - other services running from the centre, including the Woodend Library, remain unaffected.

What did Council endorse?

At the August 2025 Council Meeting, following ongoing reviews and a continuing decline in customer attendance, Council endorsed the closure of the customer service function at the Woodend Community Centre (corner of Forest and High streets), effective 1 January 2026.

Also included in the endorsed recommendations were:

for the community to be informed of alternative ways of current and potential access channels to service the Woodend community (what this page is supporting)
requesting that the CEO compile a report by April 2026 on options for alternative customer service offerings in all Macedon Ranges towns that do not, or will not from January 1 2026, have a designated service centre desk.

What was the reasoning behind this decision?

A reduction in operating hours across two days a week has been in place at Woodend since August 2023, following earlier reviews and community consultation.

Among the considerations for this latest closure decision were a declining average daily attendance of just 8 people per day; and annual proposed savings of almost $38,000.

You can read more about the considerations and the data collected to inform this decision in this Customer Service Centre Review report(PDF, 199KB).

What alternative options are available for services offered at Woodend?

Service	Alternative access for Woodend residents
Payments	Most payment types can be made by various methods, including online, by phone, by post or in person at Council’s other three customer service sites in Kyneton, Gisborne or Romsey. Additionally, rates can be paid in-person at any Australia Post outlet, including Woodend Post Office.
General enquiries and requests for service	By phone, online or in-person at Council’s other three customer service sites.
Purchase of FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) kitchen caddies and liners	From Woodend Visitor Information Centre, Kyneton Visitor Information Centre or Council’s other three customer service sites. Online purchases can also be made via Council’s website.
Collection of soft plastic recycling bags	From Woodend Visitor Information Centre, resource recovery facilities, aquatic and fitness facilities, or other three customer service sites.
E-waste, mobile and cartridge recycling stations	Will continue to be available at Woodend Community Centre.
Printed Council information, including waste collection calendars and ShireLife newsletters	Most items will continue to be available at Woodend Community Centre. Waste collection calendars can be requested via post or collected from Council’s other three customer service sites. Waste collection days can additionally be searched by location via Council’s website, or residents may choose to download the MRSC Waste App on a smart phone. The app displays a waste collection calendar for to the customer’s nominated address, and can send notifications to remind the customer to put out their bin at a nominated time on the day prior to collection.