Domestic Recycling and Waste Collection Services

A Domestic Waste Management Charge is compulsory for properties rated as residential (or have a residential component). Properties that have a residence but are rated other than residential (including non-rateable properties) may also apply for a Domestic Waste Collection Service.

A Domestic Waste Collection Service can only be applied to a property with a residence that is certified fit for occupation (i.e. not for partially completed dwellings). Properties rated as ‘Residential’ without a dwelling will attract a Vacant Land Waste Charge until the interim Occupation Certificate or final Occupation Certificate is issued, a Domestic Waste Management Charge and service will then commence. If you’re demolishing your property for redevelopment purposes, you may be eligible for the Vacant Land charge, contact Wollongong City Council to request the ‘Cancel Waste Service to Vacant Land’ form.

Domestic Waste Management Charge

The Domestic Waste Management Charge applied to rates entitles residents to a weekly Waste to Landfill (red lid) collection, a weekly FOGO (green lid) collection and a fortnightly Recycling (yellow lid) collection and two (2) On-Call Household Clean-up services each financial year. The Domestic Waste Management Charge must be applied to occupied land where a collection service is available, regardless if the service is utilised.

Property owners are able to increase or decrease the size of their Waste to Landfill bin (red lid) throughout the year. Property owners that nominate to increase the size of their Waste to Landfill bin (red lid), an administration fee is applicable. Updated charges are applied, pro rata, to their rates account from the date of delivery. The Domestic Waste Management Charge will automatically be levied as per existing bin size as at 30 June each year.

Commercial Waste Management Charge

The Non-Domestic Waste Management Charge varies depending on the size of the Waste to Landfill bin (red lid) provided (this is for properties that are not rated Residential and do not have a residence/dwelling).

The Non-Domestic Waste Management Charge entitles the property with a Waste to Landfill (red lid) collection, weekly FOGO (green lid) collection and a fortnightly Recycling (yellow lid) collection. Non-domestic premises are not entitled to the On-Call Household Clean-up Service.

Additional Bins

Additional FOGO (green lid) and Recycling (yellow lid) bins are available to residential properties in conjunction with an existing waste service. Commercial properties are restricted to a maximum of three additional bins. Council offers additional waste bins as a full service only and will be charged at the appropriate Domestic Waste Management Charge. Where additional bins across all service types are required, these will also be charged at the appropriate annual Domestic Waste Management Charge.

Domestic Waste Management Services – Wheel In – Wheel Out Service

Residents can apply for the ‘Wheel In – Wheel Out’ service to assist with having their bins placed out for collection and returned to their property each week at an annual fee in addition to the Domestic Waste Management Charge.

Property Owners must complete this application form and will be required to be verified by a medical practitioner. Once authorised by Council, the cost for this service will be applied to the rates account for the property. Residents will need to provide written consent for the Collection Contractor to access their property and indemnify the Collection Contractor and Council against all claims.

Once the application is submitted and approved, the contractor will contact the owner to arrange an on-site inspection. This will enable the Contractor to confirm a safe method of work for staff and provide an opportunity for owners to indicate where bins will be accessed from and returned to. Please ensure that the best contact phone number is provided to facilitate this.

Domestic Waste Management Services – Compassionate Grounds Service

A resident who requires a larger Waste to Landfill bin (red lid) due to the excessive waste generation associated with Peritoneal Kidney Dialysis may apply for a Compassionate Grounds Waste Service. Wollongong City Council will change the Waste to Landfill bin (red lid) at the property from its current size to a large bin. The rates account of the property will be charged a waste levy for a medium Waste to Landfill bin size. Wollongong City Council must be advised in writing when the large bin is no longer required for the nominated purpose.

Waste Management Services – Disputed Domestic Waste Management Charges

The annual rate notice that is issued each year in July includes details of the Domestic Waste Management Charge attributed to each property, including any additional bins or services. Where the property owner believes they are being incorrectly charged and advises Council prior to the due date for payment of the first instalment, Council will verify the rate and bin size and the charge will be amended back to 1 July for the current financial year. Where a property owner advises Council of an anomaly in regards to the size of their Waste to Landfill bin subsequent to the first instalment due date, then the charge will be amended from the date that advice was received by Council, as per the Wollongong City Council Revenue Policy.

Residents must pay their rates instalment as issued, and any amendments agreed to will be adjusted on the next instalment notice. For more information contact Wollongong City Council Customer Service Team on 4227 7111.

PLEASE NOTE: Recycling and Waste bins are specifically allocated to each property and are not transferable between properties at any time.