Additional bin collection for Tingha

An additional kerb-side waste collection will be conducted for Tingha residents tomorrow, after last week’s service was cancelled because of the devastating bushfire which burnt properties and homes around the township.

The midweek wheelie bin collection, complementing the usual Friday service, is also in response to power outages in the area. Households have been forced to throw out food which went off while their houses were without electricity for a number of days.

Residents are asked to put their bins out before 6pm on the evenings before each collection.

The Tingha Waste Transfer Station will return to its usual operating hours this week and will be open to the public on Wednesday and Sunday from 9am to 5pm.

A large skip bin is also available at Council’s Tingha depot for residents affected by the fires.

Fire debris containing asbestos cannot be disposed of in the skip bin or at the Tingha Waste Transfer Station.

A recovery crew has been deployed into the impacted area to conduct appropriate analysis of materials and ensure collection and disposal is done correctly and safely.

A Tingha Plateau Fire Recovery Committee has been established and is being chaired by Armidale Regional Council, with support from Inverell Shire Council.

The recovery group will include three subcommittees which will meet this week: Health & Wellbeing, Agriculture & Animals, and Infrastructure, Waste & Environment.

Recovery personnel from the Office of Emergency Management will work closely with the councils, the Department of Primary Industries, Local Land Services, rural resilience officers and other essential parties on an appropriate recovery strategy.

A Recovery Assistance Point for residents in Tingha, Gilgai and surrounding areas has been set up at the Tingha Sports and Recreation Club on New Farm Road and is open 10am to 4pm each day.

Disaster Welfare Services, Red Cross, Local Land Services, and Department of Family and Community Service representatives will be present, along with council representatives to provide advice on recovery matters including waste disposal.

Published on 19 Feb 2019