Bin there, done that? Here’s what to do with the stuff that doesn’t fit in the green bin. Photo: Daria_Nipot.
It’s been a while since spring sprung, leaving you with a pile of hedge trimmings, grass clippings and palm fronds equivalent to five or six green bin collections.
Good news: Wollongong City Council is once again offering free garden waste drop-off events this November, making it easier to clear out the excess and get your garden summer-ready.
Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown said it was as much about safety as helping the community out with spring overgrowth clean-outs.
“As we near summer, these events will also support our community, who are doing more garden pruning than usual to get their property bushfire ready,” she said. “We encourage people to be proactive to manage bushfire risks and be assured that any extra small branches, fallen leaves and twigs can be dropped off at our free events.”
The drop-off events will be held at Berkeley, Corrimal and Helensburgh, accepting typical garden waste such as leaves, small branches and pruning clippings that don’t fit in your green-lidded bin.
To keep things running smoothly, branches must be under 750 mm in diameter and around 1 m long. Anything larger should be taken to council’s Whytes Gully waste facility in Kembla Grange, where standard disposal fees apply.
The free drop-off is open to Wollongong residents only (not commercial operators), and proof of address, such as a driver’s licence, will be required.
Attendees are asked to remain in their vehicles while unloading is in progress.
The event dates and locations are:
- Sunday 2 November, 7:30 am to noon — Ziems Park, Corrimal (carpark behind pool; enter from Short Street)
- Sunday 9 November, 7:30 am to noon — Rex Jackson Park, Helensburgh (carpark near netball courts, enter from Walker and Robertson streets)
- Sunday 16 November, 7:30 am to noon — Fred Finch Park, Berkeley (area to the east; enter from Bedford Street)
For more information on alternatives for green waste, visit Wollongong City Council.
