Kiama residents overall have embraced fortnightly recycling services, but the mayor also wants to hear what they think about the future of bulky waste services. Photo: Kellie O’Brien.
Waste not, want not is the approach we at Kiama Municipal Council are taking when it comes to the future of the household bulky waste system and the switch to fortnightly yellow-lid recycling bin collection.
We currently have our household bulky waste business case out to the community for public consultation until 26 October because we want local residents to help us shape the future of this service.
Option 1 is to cease the drop-off events and maintain the user pays kerbside service. All residents would receive a rebate on the Domestic Waste Management Charge based on the three-year average annual cost of the current service.
Option 2 is to issue vouchers for anyone who wants to drop off bulky waste while also providing the rebate to all residents.
Option 3 is to retain the status quo of two annual events.
There are positives and negatives to each option – I know some people find it inconvenient that there are only two occasions a year when they can drop off their bulky waste and they’d prefer to be able to do so any time, so for them the voucher discount would be the ideal outcome.
What’s driving this potential need for change is first and foremost workplace safety – we have had too many safety incidents and the facility is not fit for purpose. You can read all of the rationale and background, and learn about what other councils do in the business case.
The important thing is it’s not for me as the mayor or my fellow councillors to say what we think should happen.
It’s what the community wants that comes first, so I encourage everyone to jump onto council’s YourSay page or attend our next community pop-up session at Kiama Shopping Village on 13 October to let us know your preference out of the three options.
I’ve also been asked several questions from community members about the switch to fortnightly yellow-bin recycling pick-ups.
Council’s waste services team has analysed the data since the change at the start of July and the overall results have been positive.
When you look at the bin collection rates for the month of August this year compared to 2025, there has been an overall increase in the presentation of yellow-lid recycling bins at the kerb from 66 per cent to 76 per cent.
But that means that around a quarter of households are still not putting these bins out even though we now collect them on a fortnightly basis instead of weekly.
The data also reveals that the average weight of material in each bin has increased from 6 kg to 8 kg, which shows that residents are now filling their recycling bin more than the previous weekly system, which is to be expected.
It’s important to remember the Minnamurra Waste Facility is basically a transfer station – we collect the recycling and waste matter before transporting it out of the area.
Because we now have a more efficient fortnightly system, we have reduced from 14 return trips weighing a total of 188 tonnes in August 2025 to 10 return trips weighing a total of 131 tonnes in August 2026.
This translates to lower fuel costs, reduced wear and tear on council vehicles and less fatigue for staff members while also enabling them to contribute to other operational requirements.
We will continue to review the data but the change to fortnightly collections is proving to be a positive step.
