Bin services for multi-unit housing

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Consultation has concluded

Council is reviewing all residentially rated properties in Tweed Shire to ensure the correct waste charges are applied to each property, and that each has equal opportunity to access the required garbage and recycling services.

Approximately 30 per cent of all residentially-rated multi-unit properties in Tweed Shire are currently paying for their garbage and recycling collection services via their Body Corporate or Strata, for services provided by Council or a private contractor. These charges are forwarded to the managing agent, who passes the charges on to each individual property.

The remaining 70 per cent are charged for Council collection services

Council is reviewing all residentially rated properties in Tweed Shire to ensure the correct waste charges are applied to each property, and that each has equal opportunity to access the required garbage and recycling services.

Approximately 30 per cent of all residentially-rated multi-unit properties in Tweed Shire are currently paying for their garbage and recycling collection services via their Body Corporate or Strata, for services provided by Council or a private contractor. These charges are forwarded to the managing agent, who passes the charges on to each individual property.

The remaining 70 per cent are charged for Council collection services directly on their rates.

Under State Government legislation, from 1 July 2016, Council will send compulsory garbage and recycling service charges direct to all individual unit owners, as part of their rates.

Click here for further explanation about why the changes are being implemented.

The minimum charge for garbage and recycling for each type of multi-unit property will be based on their minimum requirements. This charge is yet to be formally confirmed and approved by Council. However, click here for an indication of what this might be, based on the 2015/16 fees and charges and depending on the type of multi-unit complex and their available options.

Some properties will require higher volumes for each service and can opt to pay for these accordingly.

If a complex has a Body Corporate or Strata Manager, Council will continue to organise the garbage and recycling collection services through this managing agent, to ensure the services are provided efficiently. Owners of properties that do not have a managing agent can refer to Frequently Asked Questions that further explain how these services can be organised.

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions for townhouse owners

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions for owners of units in large multi-unit complexes

Managing agents click here for their Frequently Asked Questions

Information sessions are planned for townhouse and unit owners and managing agents. Click here to register your interest in attending one of the sessions.

Townhouse and unit owners and managing agents can also contact a Waste Recycling Telephone Hotline on (02) 6670 2260 for further information or to book a place at the information sessions.

Consultation has concluded
  • Reasons for changes in how waste and recycling charges are applied

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    Equity among all ratepayers

    This charge is part of an ongoing process by Council to standardise garbage and recycling collection services and charges, to ensure they are applied equitably to all residential properties and that each residential property has an equal opportunity to access garbage and recycling services.

    A shared contribution to recycling

    The provision of standard garbage and recycling services to all rateable properties is vital to achieve goals to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. The State Government’s Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy has set each NSW council area a target of 75 per cent of all waste to be diverted away from landfill by 2021/22. Tweed Shire is currently diverting less than 50 per cent of all household waste, with significantly lower levels diverted from some multi-unit properties.

    Ensuring all multi-unit properties are providing sufficient recycling services for each unit / townhouse is one way complexes can contribute to Tweed Shire meeting the 75 per cent target of waste diversion from landfill.

    Planning requirements

    Your property was approved under the Tweed Development Control Plan, Section A15 – Waste Minimisation and Management, which requires minimum amounts of garbage and recycling collection to be supplied per unit and townhouse.

    For definitions of properties, minimum garbage and recycling collection requirements and proposed annual minimum collection charges for these services:

    All residential properties in Tweed Shire must be charged for both garbage and recycling collection services.

    Many properties require more than the minimum amounts and pay for these accordingly. However, the minimum amounts listed in Table 1 on each FAQ sheet are the lowest capacities and fees that can be applied for each unit or townhouse.

    Legal obligations

    Under Section 496 of the Local Government Act, all councils are required to charge annual domestic waste management charges (including garbage and recycling collection) for every parcel of rateable land on which waste management services can be provided.

    Food organics service

    In mid 2017, Council will introduce Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) bins and the current optional green waste service will become compulsory for all residentially-rated urban properties, where possible. Garden waste and household food waste can be placed in FOGO bins and will be processed at a composting facility soon to be built at Stotts Creek Resource Recovery Centre.

    Council understands there are space limitations for many multi-unit complexes and FOGO bins will not be compulsory for large-scale unit blocks.Complexes that wish to introduce the service will be able to contact Council to negotiate their options.


  • Waste charges applied to all Tweed homes

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    All multi-unit properties should already be paying communal waste charges that apply to all residentially-rated properties in the Tweed.

    These cover the provision of waste services throughout Tweed Shire, to cover landfill management and public waste services.

    For the 2015/16 financial year, these are:

    • $62.40 – Annual waste management fee, and
    • $50.40 – Annual Landfill management charge
    • Annual total - $112.80 per unit per year.

    The standard service charges (garbage and recycling) are additional to these communal charges.

    For further information about the standard service charges and options available to each property: