Waste Collection Alterations

For the week commencing 22 December 2025, the only change will be no collections on Christmas Day. 

• For city residents whose bins are collected on a Thursday, the pickup will instead be Wednesday 24 December. 
• For rural residents whose bins are collected on a Thursday, the pickup will instead by Friday 26 December.
• After Christmas week, all collections will be back to normal. 

Residents are reminded that collection times may vary and placing bins out the night prior helps ensure they’ll be collected.

Transfer Stations

Transfer station is closed on public holidays. This includes 25 Dec (Christmas Day), 26 December (Boxing Day) and 1 January 2026 (New Year's Day). Click here for transfer station operation hours.

Customer Service

Our customer service desk will closed on the below public holidays: 

Thursday 25 December - Christmas Day 
Friday 26 December - Boxing Day
Thursday 1 January - New Year’s Day 

Our regular operation hours of 8.15am-5.15pm, Monday to Friday, will remain in place for non-public holiday dates. 

When we are closed, you can complete most customer service requests online. Or call our after-hours team on (03) 5355 0200 to report a council emergency.

Ararat Library

The Library will have modified hours over the holiday period:

• Closed 25 December to 1 January, re-opening 2 January. 

Contact Ararat Library on (03) 5352 1722 or email [email protected] for further information.

Ararat Gallery TAMA and Visitor Information Centre

The Gallery is closed on public holidays (Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.)

Open all the other days from 10am-4pm as per usual. 

Ararat Fitness Centre

Centre Hours/ Indoor Pool

Sunday 24 Dec – 8am – 5pm
Monday 25 Dec – Closed
Tuesday 26 Dec – 1pm-5pm
Wednesday 27 Dec – Friday 29 Dec - 6am – 8.30pm
Saturday 30 Dec – 8am – 5pm
Sunday 31 Dec – 1 Jan – 1pm – 5pm
*Regular hours from Tuesday 2 Jan

Group Fitness Classes wrap up on 24 December for the year and resume Monday 15 January, except Active Adults which will return the week after.

Ararat Outdoor Pool

• Christmas Day – Closed
• Regular hours all other days except public holidays
• Public holiday opening hours 1-7pm

Lake Bolac Outdoor Pool

• Christmas Day – Closed
• Regular hours all other days except public holidays
• Public holiday opening hours 1-7pm

Willaura Outdoor Pool

• Christmas Day – Closed
• Regular hours all other days except public holidays
• Public holiday opening hours 1-7pm