The Transport and City Services Directorate has reopened limited waste drop-off services following rising reports of illegal dumping of rubbish and waste materials during the ACT’s lockdown.
Minister for Transport and City Services, Chris Steel said services that had reopened for urgent waste disposal included the Resource Management Centre on Flemington Road, Mitchell; Resource Management Centre on Mugga Lane, Symonston; Soft Landing mattress disposal in Hume; green waste drop-off on Mugga Lane; and the green waste drop-off facility on Parkwood Road.
Mr Steel said the Green Shed shops at Mugga Lane and Mitchell would remain closed for the duration of the lockdown.
“We understand that some Canberrans have been using their free time in lockdown to spring clean their houses, tidy the garage or do some gardening,” Mr Steel said.
“We also recognise some people need to move house or undertake urgent repair or maintenance work and it’s not possible for everyone to store waste temporarily,” he said.
“That’s why we are facilitating a very limited return to waste drop-off services.”
Mr Steel said waste disposal must be undertaken in a strictly controlled manner and a number of COVID-control measures were in place.
The Minister said to protect staff and visitors, drive-through QR code check-ins were in place, along with contactless payments and designated lanes at drop-off points.
He said visitors were not allowed to exit their vehicles unless at the designated drop-off point and traffic marshalling was in place to ensure people abided by the rules.
“If you really need to dispose of waste materials and you cannot wait, these disposal options will now be available,” he said.
“But it’s very important people don’t just treat this as a chance to get out of the house.”
The Minister encouraged everyone to “do the right thing” now that waste drop-off services had resumed.
“Turning our charity locations and public areas into a dumping ground is bad for the environment, unsafe and puts unnecessary strain on workers and charities who have to clean up the mess,” Mr Steel said.
