Council extends waste service to help residents prepare
Explore Councils by state
Blue Mountains City Council has extended the operating hours of its Waste Management Facilities and waived the fee for green waste, given unprecedented bush fire activity in the region.
Waste Management Facilities at Katoomba and Blaxland will operate until 7pm, until at least Sunday 22 December to allow residents to transfer green waste. During the hours of 4.45pm until 6.45pm, only green waste will be accepted at these facilities.
The drop off of green waste is FREE all day. The facilities will accept all types of waste during normal operating hours. Between 4.45pm and 7pm they will be accepting green waste only. Last cars will be accepted at 6.45pm. Gates will shut at 7pm.Blue Mountains City Council will also now provide a weekly green bin service for each household, between 23 December and 3 January. Read our Media Release for more information
Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill said Council was extending services, given unprecedented fire activity.
“Given the fires around our community, we have very difficult weeks ahead,” he said.
“Our extra waste services will assist those who still have some things to do to get ready. We are requesting that residents carefully consider whether they do need to bring other waste to a Waste Management Facility at this time, as we are prioritising the acceptance of green waste.”
Council is unable to offer weekly green waste collections during this period as we do not currently have access to additional trucks to provide this service. There is currently no capacity across the state to offer extra green waste collections, given these unprecedented conditions.
“I have been pushing for extra green bin services for a month but it has not been possible,” Mayor Greenhill said.
“We are working with support services for those in our community who may need assistance to manage their green waste. We also continue to provide extra chipping services for those who have booked services.”
The NSW RFS has urged residents to get ready given fires are north and south of the City. The fire south of Mount Wilson progressed rapidly under heavy winds on Sunday and broke containment, crossing Bells Line of Road and entering the Grose Valley.
If fire reaches other parts of the City it may become necessary to close Council’s Waste Management Facilities. Council announced additional temporary reserve closures this afternoon at Blackheath, Faulconbridge, Hazelbrook, Katoomba, Lawson, Leura, Linden, Springwood, Warrimoo, Wentworth Falls, Woodford and Yellow Rock. Stay up to date on the closure of any Council reserves, lookouts, campgrounds and roads on Council’s website.
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) also has extensive closures in the area. Go to the National Parks website or call the NPWS Heritage Centre on 4787 8877 for more information.
“We now need to ensure we’re prepared,” Mayor Greenhill said. “Blue Mountains residents need to have their Bush Fire Survival Plan ready now, for their own safety and the safety of their families. If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes.”