Clean-up Effort Continues As Flood Waste Mounts Up
Over 20,000 tonnes of waste have been collected across flood impacted areas of the MidCoast since clean-up efforts began over a week ago.
This includes 6,500 tonnes of waste that has been taken directly to MidCoast Council’s waste management centres, placing considerable pressure on these facilities.
Flood waste can currently be taken to Council’s Taree and Gloucester Waste Management Centres free of charge. The free period for the disposal of flood damaged waste at these facilities has now been extended to 20 June 2025.
However, Council’s preference is that flood waste is placed on the kerbside to be collected by Council engaged contractors. This is because waste collected from kerbsides is taken out of the area for disposal, relieving pressure on the region’s landfills.
With the flood clean-up expected to generate more than the annual amount of waste taken to landfill, redirecting flood waste out of the area ensures there is capacity in the landfills for the disposal of red bin waste collected from across the region.
Residents or businesses can ring and register to have their pile collected by calling MidCoast Council on 7955 7777.
If possible, the waste should be sorted into piles on the kerb in the following categories: green waste, whitegoods/metal, household chemicals and general waste.
The State Government has waived the waste levy – that is generally applied to all waste – for all flood waste taken to waste management centres for three months from 23 May 2025.
This waiver will be passed on to residents disposing of flood waste while it is in place.
Residents who are not in a flood impacted area will not have a kerbside flood waste collection. These residents can book in for a regular bulky waste collection when the program resumes. The program is currently suspended while Council’s resources are redirected towards the flood clean-up effort.
https://www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/Your-Council/Our-news/News-releases/Clean-up-effort-continues-as-flood-waste-mounts-up