Welcome relief for regions as wet waste waived

Victims of this month’s flooding will have fees for rubbish reduced to nothing

Glenreagh resident Noel Backman took these incredible shots of the Orara River in flood. Photo: Noel Backman

Residents in the flood affected areas of Bellingen, Coffs Harbour and the Clarence Valley will have their waste levy fees waived.

The NSW Government has waived the waste levy fee for residents disposing of flood generated waste in areas across NSW north coast that have been declared Natural Disaster Areas.

NSW EPA Executive Director Regulatory Operations Steve Beaman said thousands of people in NSW are reeling from the effects of the floods impacting their communities.

“Where the emergency has passed in some areas, residents will face a hard and painful clean-up process,” Mr Beaman said.

“To help these communities dispose of their flood damaged goods quickly and safely we have waived the NSW Government waste levy, in levy-affected areas.

“Building materials, furniture and any other flood generated waste is included.

Edward Sharpe Bridge at Nana Glen in December. Photo: Tim Jarrett

“We know that the effects of these floods will be felt for months to come, and we hope that this streamlined waste process can provide a little relief for those coping after these rains.”

The exemption applies until March 31 on debris and waste created by local flooding.

The levy will be waived at waste facilities nominated by the councils listed below and local waste facility gate fees may still apply.

Residents should check with their local council for the name and opening status of the nominated facilities, as well as for any specific requirements to dispose of flood damaged waste, noting that flood affected conditions can change rapidly.

Waste facilities will need to ensure the waste is flood generated before they can waive the Government’s waste levy.

“We hope this will ease some of the pressure people are feeling after the floods,” Mr Beaman said.

The following list of Councils have waste levy exemptions: Wingecarribee Shire Council, Ballina Shire, Bellingen Shire, Byron Shire, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour City, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore City, Nambucca, Port Macquarie – Hastings, Richmond Valley, Tweed Shire.