The Red Bin Rebellion: 440 Signatures and a Legal Challenge for Rockingham
A grassroots movement for transparency hits City Hall as residents demand their weekly red bins back, and an end to "pay-to-play" sanitation.
By Wade McColl (31/03/2026)
(L-R): Jarrod Krollig, Hon. Rod Caddies MLC. Outside City of Rockingham Administration Centre. Photo by Wade McColl, Baldivis Times 2026.
A journey for transparency that started as a grassroots inquiry on February 24th reached a critical milestone yesterday. In a formal show of community strength, a petition carrying 440 signatures was officially lodged with the City of Rockingham, triggering a legal process that the Council cannot ignore.
I stood at City Hall with local builder Jarrad Krollig and the Hon. Rod Caddies MLC as these documents were handed over. The atmosphere was one of quiet determination. This wasn’t just a pile of paper; it was a formal challenge to the current leadership and a demand for a return to basic service standards.
The “Audit-Proof” Strategy
Under Section 5.28 of the Local Government Act, only 300 signatures are required to force a ‘Special Meeting of Electors.’ However, Jarrad and his team aren’t taking any chances with the numbers.
Aware of the potential for the Council to disqualify signatures for minor technicalities like messy handwriting, Jarrad has kept a cited copy of every single name. With a State MP like Rod Caddies present as a witness, the message to the City is clear: the community is watching, and we are ensuring this meeting will happen.
The Human Cost of “FOGO”
Beyond the logistics of bin collections, this movement has uncovered a heartbreaking human cost. In my discussions with Jarrad, he revealed stories from mums with newborns and residents living with disabilities who feel abandoned by the current system.
Under the new 3-bin FOGO rollout, those who need more frequent red bin collections are essentially being forced into a “pay-to-play” system for what many consider a basic sanitation right. For families already struggling with the cost of living, being told to “beg” a doctor for a certificate or pay extra for a bin is a bridge too far.
A Manifesto for Transparency
This rebellion isn’t just about waste management; it is about how our money is spent and how our leaders communicate. Alongside the bin reinstatement, Jarrad has lodged four other motions for the community to vote on:
An Independent Audit: A full review of the FOGO system’s actual costs and health impacts.
Lobbyist Transparency: A public register for all meetings between senior council members and lobbyists.
Accountability Dashboards: Ensuring “questions taken on notice” are answered publicly on the City’s website within 15 days.
Ratepayer Impact Statements: Breaking down major projects (over $500,000) into the direct cost per individual family.
(L-R): Wade McColl Founder and Director of Baldivis Times, Jarrod Krollig, & Hon. Rod Caddies MLC. Outside City of Rockingham Administration Centre. Photo by Myah Loo, Baldivis Times 2026.
The Message to the Mayor
Jarrad’s message to Mayor Lorna Buchan is simple and direct: “The people of Rockingham pay the Mayor, not the State. It is her job to listen.”
The City now has 35 days to hold this Special Meeting. When that date is announced, it will be a defining moment for our suburb. Jarrad is calling for a “sea of hands” to show up and force a re-vote on the red bin system.
The Baldivis Times will be there to capture every moment. Whether the Council chooses to listen or to double down on their current path remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the residents of Baldivis and Rockingham have found their voice.