Christmas and New Year service changes
We’re still here for you over the Christmas and New Year period, but there will be temporary changes to our opening hours and services.
On this page:
- Customer service
- Online services
- Household bin collections
- Knox Transfer and Recycling Facility
- Community arts centres
- Rowville Community Centre
- Leisure centres
- Maternal and child health services
- Childcare and kindergarten services
- Community support services
- Libraries
- Justice of the Peace
Customer service
Our customer service centres have adjusted operating times over the holidays.
| Date | Customer Service counter | Phone line |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 24 December 2025 | Closed from 3 pm | Out of Hours service from 3 pm |
| Thursday 25 December 2025 Christmas Day | Closed | Out of Hours service |
| Friday 26 December 2025 Boxing Day public holiday | Closed | Out of Hours service |
| Monday 29 December 2025 | Open | 8:30 am to 5 pm |
| Tuesday 30 December 2025 | Open | 8:30 am to 5 pm |
| Wednesday 31 December 2025 | Open | 8:30 am to 5 pm |
| Thursday 1 January 2026 New Year's Day | Closed | Out of Hours service |
| Friday 2 January 2026 Return to normal hours | Open | 8:30 am to 5 pm |
Calls to 9298 8000 outside of our operating hours will be automatically transferred to our emergency Out of Hours service.
Online services
You can still access many of our services online, including:
- make payments for rates, permits, fines and invoices
- book a hard rubbish collection. See below for further information
- report a missed bin collection
- report a damaged bin
- report a stolen or missing bin
However, any reports or bookings will not be actioned on public holidays.
For all other online services, visit our pay / report / apply page.
Household bin collections
Your bins will be collected as normal over the holiday period, including on public holidays.
To confirm your collection days or check what you can put in your bins, use the find my bin day tool or visit the household bin, recycling bin and green waste pages.
Hard rubbish collection
Bookings
To have your hard rubbish collected before Christmas, your booking must be received by 11:59pm Wednesday 10 December 2025.
Bookings will be unavailable from Thursday 11 December until 11:59 pm Wednesday 17 December 2025. Bookings can be made online from Thursday 18 December 2025.
Collections
The last collections before Christmas will take place on Friday 19 December 2025.
There will be no collections between Monday 22 December and Friday 26 December 2025.
Collections will resume from Monday 29 December 2025.
Hard rubbish is not collected on weekends or public holidays.
Knox Transfer Station and Recycling Facility
The Knox Transfer Station and Recycling Facility is open every day except Christmas Day.
To find out opening hours, what you can and can't drop off, and fees that apply visit the Knox Transfer Station website.
Community arts centres
Knox Community Arts Centre will be closed from Monday 22 December 2025 and reopen on Monday 19 January 2026.
Ferntree Gully Community Arts Centre and Library will be closed from Monday 22 December 2025 and reopen Monday 19 January 2026.
Rowville Community Centre
Rowville Community Centre will close from Monday 22 December 2025 and reopen on Monday 5 January 2026.
From Monday 5 January to Sunday 25 January 2025, the centre will operate at reduced hours - Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm.
Leisure centres
- Knox Leisureworks – closed on Christmas day. For opening hours visit their website.
- Knox Skate and BMX Park – open every day. For staffed hours visit their website.
- Waterford Valley Golf Course – closed on Christmas Day. For opening hours, visit their website.
- Carrington Park Leisure Centre and Multi-purpose facility
The gym and hall will be closed from Monday 22 December 2025 and reopen Monday 29 December 2025 due to upgrade works to the floors in these spaces. All other areas of the centre will remain open but will be closed on public holidays. All bookings must be made by appointment only. See their website for contact information. - Knox Regional Netball Centre
The centre will be closed from Saturday 20 December 2025 and reopen on Monday 19 January 2026. From Monday 19 January to Tuesday 27 January 2026, the centre will operate at reduced hours - Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm.
Maternal and child health services
Our maternal and child health team are operating a reduced service over the holidays. We will prioritise appointments for younger babies during this time.
To make an appointment, visit our Maternal and Child Health page.
If you need immediate support, information or advice from a qualified maternal and child health nurse, you can contact the Maternal and Child Health hotline on 13 22 29. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Childcare and kindergarten services
Childcare and kindergarten services at both Knox Children and Family Centres in Bayswater and Wantirna South will be closed over the holiday period and resume in 2026.
Childcare
- Last day - Friday 19 December 2025
- Service resumes – Thursday 8 January 2026
Sessional kindergarten
- Last day – Tuesday 16 December 2025
- Service resumes - Monday 2 February 2026
Community support services
See below for support services available:
- Community relief and welfare providers
- Homelessness information and support
- Emergency and housing support
- Family violence support
- Mental health and wellbeing.
Libraries
Visit the Your Library website for opening hours for libraires in Knox.
Justice of the Peace
This service will be unavailable from Tuesday 16 December 2025, returning on Monday 12 January 2026.
We hope you have a safe Christmas and Happy New Year.
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