Green waste dumping limits lift for clean-up campaign

Domestic green waste disposal will not count towards annual free dumping limits at Moreton Bay tips for 12 days next month in a bid to get people to prepare their properties ahead of storm and bushfire season.

Mayor Peter Flannery says the Get Ready Green Waste Exemption domestic disposal campaign, which coincides with the September school holidays, is the perfect chance for people to clear their gutters and tidy their yards.

The program comes ahead of the traditional Get Ready Week from October 10-16 – a State Government campaign that helps Queenslanders prepare for natural disasters.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a warning yesterday that we’re in for a wetter than average spring with a 70 percent chance of La Nina forming in coming months.

Big boost

The new 12-day program far exceeds a minimum four-day scheme voted in unanimously after being suggested by Cr Matt Constance (Div 10) in June over fears people would neglect to clear their yards lest they exceed load limits that took effect on July 1.

|“It might not be what the kids had planned for the September school holidays, but (it’s) the perfect time to prepare your yard for the coming storm and bushfire season,” Mayor Flannery says.|

“This is a temporary exemption for self-haul residential customers from domestic green waste charges and annual free waste disposal limits,” he says.

“Domestic green waste brought in during this period as single loads (no other waste in your load) will not be counted to your three tonne/26 visits annual free disposal allowance.”

Streamline your visit

Mayor Flannery says taking only green waste loads, rather than mixed loads, to Council waste facilities during the Get Ready Green Waste Exemption will reduce waiting times.

“Also, I’d recommend going on a weekday or during off-peak hours to avoid the congestion and delays we usually see on weekends.

|“We have livestream cameras installed at our major waste facilities, so you can jump online and see how long the queue is before you head there.|

“On each facility webpage you can also check graphs with peak periods per day of the week per hour. This is really helpful to save you time.”

Acceptable green waste includes branches, palm fronds, weeds, tree and shrub prunings, loose bark and grass clippings.

The Get Ready Green Waste Exemption runs from September 19 to 30, with major waste facilities at Caboolture, Dakabin and Bunya open for extended hours from 6am to 6pm to cater for an anticipated surge in customers.

Other ways to prepare

Mayor Flannery says the clean-up is also a good time to talk with family and neighbours about things such as knowing the flood and fire risks in your neighbourhood; preparing an emergency plan for your home and having an emergency kit packed.

“Council has done a huge amount of work following since the floods to ensure our roads are repaired, our sandbagging stations are ready to go, our stormwater drains are clear, dangerous trees have been removed and our evacuation centres have been restocked.

“Council isn’t anticipating the worst, but we want to be prepared for anything.

“I urge locals to use this time now do the same, especially before we all get busy with Christmas.

“Clean up the backyard, have a chat with your household about how to prepare, check on your insurance, and most importantly, make sure you’re getting the latest information and severe weather warnings by signing up to MoretonAlert.”