Asbestos, rotting food, and 818t of waste: Darwin’s 2025 pre-cyclone clean-up report
This year’s Pre-Cyclone Clean-Up is officially complete, revealing the massive amounts of waste – and prohibited items – Darwinites kicked to the kerb.
Darwin’s Pre-Cyclone Clean-Up has officially been completed for another year, with asbestos, rotting food, and commercial waste among the more than 800 tonnes of rubbish collected across the city.
Over six weeks, City of Darwin crews collected 818 tonnes of waste, supporting the community to reduce potential hazards ahead of the cyclone season, while diverting 36 per cent away from landfill for recycling and reuse.
The collection included 214 tonnes of scrap metal, 74 tonnes of white goods, and 2 tonnes of e-waste – all materials that could be recycled.
However, prohibited items were still found on verges, including asbestos, commercial waste, fridges containing food, and items placed out after collections were completed.
Total waste collected increased from 740 tonnes in 2024, and the diversion rate dropped slightly from last year’s 39 per cent.
“The annual clean-up plays an important role in helping our city and communities get cyclone-ready,” Lord Mayor Peter Styles said.
“By sorting waste into material types before placing it on the verge, residents helped our crews recycle more and complete collections more efficiently.”
Mr Styles reminded the community that any remaining items on verges must be removed by the resident, as this was now considered illegal dumping.
Meanwhile independent Araluen MLA Robyn Lambley called on the Alice Springs Town Council to offer its residence their own chance to “clear out their junk”.
“We may not get cyclones in Alice Springs but we absolutely should be given the same opportunity as most other towns and cities across Australia to have an annual free pick up of our unwanted junk,” Ms Lambley said on Facebook.
She said providing the service in Central Australia would pay off in the long run.
“Allowing junk to build up on properties becomes a serious safety and health risk.
“And ignoring the fact that most people do not have the means to take big items out to the dump is neglectful.”
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Originally published as Asbestos, rotting food, and 818t of waste: Darwin’s 2025 pre-cyclone clean-up report
