Sunday tip day

Starting this week, Eurobodalla residents will be able to take their domestic waste and recycling to Surf Beach and Brou tips on a Sunday.

Both landfills had been closed to residents since 29 March in response to the COVID-19 lockdown and the need to maintain access for essential services, particularly bushfire clean-up contractors.

Council’s director of planning and sustainability Lindsay Usher says the Sunday opening will save people driving to Moruya transfer station, the only waste facility open for domestic waste and recycling.

“We know the tip situation is less than convenient for some residents, especially those without kerbside collection,” he said.

“Under pandemic restrictions, however, the bushfire clean up and maintaining essential services like disposal of demolition, commercial and medical waste must be our priority.

“We hope opening Brou and Surf Beach on Sundays will bring some relief, however, I do urge people to remember that non-essential travel is restricted at the moment. If a trip to the tip isn’t necessary, please don’t go.”

Mr Usher says while tip opening hours will continue to be reviewed against the government’s pandemic restrictions, there were other reasons for avoiding the tips if possible.

“With bushfire clean-up in full swing, Surf Beach and Brou tips can be quite congested,” he said.

“The clean-up contractors mostly use the sites Monday to Saturday, but if you are planning a Sunday tip trip, it’s quite likely you’ll sit in a queue with some very large trucks. Please be patient, especially with our staff who are doing their jobs under trying circumstances at the moment.”

Mr Usher said if you’re on kerbside collection and determined to have a lockdown clean-up, the best bet is to use your bins.

“Gradually remove your waste and recyclables using your kerbside bins rather than go to the tip at this time,” he said. “That way, those who need it most will have easier access and the community and our staff are better protected.”

Surf Beach and Brou tips will now open to the public every Sunday, starting this Sunday, 3 May. Moruya waste transfer station is open daily for residents to dispose of domestic waste and recycling, noting that non-essential travel is banned under pandemic restrictions. All transactions via EFTPOS please, no cash.

Council’s annual hard waste collection is scheduled to go ahead, pending NSW Government COVID-19 restrictions. The collection starts on 20 July in Narooma and Tilba, working north throughout August and September.