A Christmas reminder: Never Bin a Battery

A Christmas reminder: Never Bin a Battery

In the past 12 months, there have been seven potentially deadly "hot loads" where batteries have caused a fire inside a kerbside collection truck as the load was compacted.Additionally, there have been 13 battery-related fires at Council waste transfer facilities, which could have caused millions of dollars in damage.As Christmas approaches, Council is urging residents to ensure old batteries don’t end up in kerbside bins.Approximately 80% of household batteries used across Australia are considered single use.Despite being recyclable, an alarming 97% of these batteries – around 8,000 tonnes annually, are incorrectly disposed of in landfills.Batteries in kerbside bins pose significant environmental and safety risks.Containing hazardous materials like lead and mercury, they can contaminate soil and water in landfills.Additionally, batteries are a major fire risk due to their combustible and corrosive components.Batteries are often found in everyday household items, so it’s important to remove them before recycling or disposing of these products correctly.Common items with hidden batteries include: Mobile phones and tabletsWatches and clocks, including smartwatchesToysVapes and e-cigarettesPower toolsRemote controlsDigital camerasElectric toothbrusheseScooters Council is calling on all residents to avoid placing batteries in kerbside bins and instead take them to designated recycling drop-off locations.This simple action can help prevent the increasing number of fires in kerbside bins and waste collection trucks caused by batteries.Council’s Director for Cairns Infrastructure and Assets, Mark Wuth, said this simple action can help prevent the increasing number of fires in kerbside bins and waste collection trucks caused by batteries."As we approach the holiday season, it's vital that we all take responsibility for recycling batteries safely,” he said.“Batteries that are wrongly placed in kerbside and other bins pose a real danger to people and facilities as they can easily start a fire.“The message is simple, ‘Never Bin a Battery’.
Cairns Regional Council
13 Dec 2024
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Parents urged to educate children on the dangers of playing in drains

Parents urged to educate children on the dangers of playing in drains

'Use your brain, don't play in pipes and drains'.That’s the message to children as wet season rain starts to impact the region.Stormwater drains are dangerous to play in or walk through, e…
Cairns Regional Council
12 Dec 2024
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Council makes $14.5M commitment to support tourism marketing

Council makes $14.5M commitment to support tourism marketing

Tourism Tropical North Queensland: $3.525 million in the first year, increasing to $3.65 million in the following three years, expiring 30 June 2029Babinda Taskforce: $45,000/year for four-year term e…
Cairns Regional Council
12 Dec 2024
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Festival embraces and celebrates the region’s rich Italian heritage

Festival embraces and celebrates the region’s rich Italian heritage

A relatively new cultural event the celebrates the rich Italian heritage of the region will receive up to $150,000 in Council support over the next three years.Since its formation in 2022 to celebrate…
Cairns Regional Council
11 Dec 2024
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Festival embraces and celebrities the region’s rich Italian heritage

Festival embraces and celebrities the region’s rich Italian heritage

A relatively new cultural event the celebrates the rich Italian heritage of the region will receive up to $150,000 in Council support over the next three years.Since its formation in 2022 to celebrate…
Cairns Regional Council
11 Dec 2024
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Sim Hayward reappointed as Cairns' Sister Cities Ambassador

Sim Hayward reappointed as Cairns' Sister Cities Ambassador

Sim Hayward is set to continue as Cairns' Sister Cities Ambassador until 2028 following her reappointment to the role today.Involved in the Cairns Sister City program for more than 35 years, she w…
Cairns Regional Council
11 Dec 2024
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Council commits ongoing support for local Anzac Day services

Council commits ongoing support for local Anzac Day services

Council has committed almost $160,000 over three years to support the delivery of seven Anzac Day event in Cairns.Support has been endorsed for Anzac Day events in seven locations for the next three y…
Cairns Regional Council
11 Dec 2024
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Cairns Festival 2024 program attracted strong attendance

Cairns Festival 2024 program attracted strong attendance

Showcasing a blend of local and visiting talent, Cairns Festival 2024 had an estimated attendance of more than 136,000 over the 10-day program.Held from 23 August to 1 September, the most popular even…
Cairns Regional Council
11 Dec 2024
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Work to start on road link between Trinity Beach and Trinity Park communities

Work to start on road link between Trinity Beach and Trinity Park communities

A road linking Trinity Beach and Trinity Park has been given the green light.Responding to the increasing development within and around both Trinity Beach and Trinity Park (including Bluewater), Counc…
Cairns Regional Council
11 Dec 2024
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