COUNCIL CONTINUES TO ACCEPT GREEN WASTE FOR FREE
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Blue Mountains City Council will continue to accept green waste free of charge at Waste Management Facilities until 6 January 2020.
Nearly 3,500 vehicles have visited Council’s Waste Management facilities at Katoomba and Blaxland, since 17 December, given unprecedented bush fire activity near the City.
“The number of vehicles coming through our waste facilities is extraordinary,” Mayor Mark Greenhill said.
“Council staff have worked above and beyond, during this period, to help those who are still preparing their properties for bush fires. But I am worried that this is not sustainable. The safety of our staff and community is paramount and it concerns me deeply.
“Our waste facilities may have to close at some point, given bush fire is now in our City. We cannot have staff, or the community, in harm’s way if fire comes.”
For now, Council’s Waste Management Facilities have resumed normal operating hours (8am to 4.45pm). They will be open 7 days a week (except on Christmas Day), unless bush fire threatens Katoomba and Blaxland. The facilities will be open on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Council has responded to current bush fires, since 22 November, by: • Providing extra free kerbside chipping services • Extending the operating hours at waste facilities • Paying the State Government green waste levy on behalf of residents, • Providing extra green bin service.
Council announced last week that it would provide an extra green bin service between 23 December and 3 January, after our waste contractor managed to secure two extra trucks from Canberra.
Council provides a fortnightly green bin service year round that help residents prepare for bush fire season, by removing excess vegetation from properties. We also accept garden prunings and leaf litter at waste facilities year round and provide additional green bins at a cost.
“We will need to have a conversation with our community, about preparing earlier, after the current bush fire season is over,” Mayor Greenhill said.
“We know some people can’t prepare early, and we will help those residents as much as we can. But the safest option is always for residents, who are able, to work all year round to manage the green waste on their properties.”
For updates on Council facilities impacted by bushfire please visit https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/media-centre/update-bush-fire
Photo: BMCC CEO Rosemary Dillon, Cultural & Community Services Director Kirrilly Twomey, Resource Recovery Officers Paul Webb and Gary Medcalfe, Mayor Mark Greenhill.