- For public safety, the community is urged to avoid closed parks and fenced off areas and to take extra care around large and damaged trees.
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The Hidden Valley emergency green waste site will close at 5:00 pm on Sunday 21 December. Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility is open for general waste and will accept residential green waste from Monday 22 December.
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City of Darwin is one third of the way through its initial three-month cyclone recovery phase, focused on the municipality's highest-risk and highly used areas.
City of Darwin is advising the community to take care especially around large and damaged trees. Recent and forecasted rainfall may increase the risk of trees damaged by Cyclone Fina to become more unstable or fall.
Community safety remains City of Darwin’s priority as recovery efforts progress. As a result, all City of Darwin parks remain closed, and additional fencing and signage is being installed to protect public safety around higher risk areas.
While damage may not always be obvious, continued rain has further weakened trees already damaged by Cyclone Fina. Saturated ground, fragile roots, and broken branches mean trees can fall unexpectedly.
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting more heavy rainfall, possible flash flooding and gusty winds over the weekend, with wet season conditions expected to continue over the holiday period.
With monsoonal activity and wet season conditions forecast for the holiday period, high-risk sites are being monitored and reassessed daily. Ongoing wet weather continues to compromise trees, including some in previously cleared locations, requiring further reassessment and contributing to delays.
High-risk areas that remain unsafe for public access will be fenced off with closure signage:
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Bicentennial Park (The Esplanade) – near the Cenotaph.
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Jingili Water Gardens – playground, BBQ area and surrounding high-risk trees (toilets remain open).
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East Point Reserve – various selected high-risk areas.
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Yanula Park – the playground, BBQ area and surrounding high-risk trees.
All available resources are being directed to these high-risk areas, which means that clean-up and recovery work in lower-risk areas will be postponed until conditions improve.
Acting Lord Mayor Patrik Ralph said these precautions are essential to ensuring public safety across the municipality.
“We know everyone wants to utilise and enjoy our parks and green spaces during the holidays - and so do we. By staying in safe areas and avoiding closed or fenced-off parks, we can continue to safely enjoy the city while recovery work continues."
All parks remain closed, and extra measures are in place in high-risk areas to protect the community, he said.
“We ask that the community please remain cautious around trees, avoid restricted areas for your safety and follow all relevant signage to help keep everyone safe.
“We will continue to reassess high-risk areas in the lead-up to the holiday break and share updates as soon as they become available,” Mr Ralph said.
Community Guidance: Facilities
Open facilities:
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Nightcliff Foreshore - Between Rapid Creek Footbridge and the Nightcliff Jetty.
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Walkways – except Walkway 121, between Aldridge Place and Milner Street.
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Community Centres – Nightcliff, Malak
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Pools – Casuarina, Parap and Nightcliff
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Civic Centre
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Libraries
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Carparks - West Lane and Dragonfly
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Pound
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Reviva Reuse Shop at Shoal Bay
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Public toilets (excluding Alawa Oval public toilets)
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Childcare centres
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Darwin General Cemetery
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Some restricted opening for sports clubs has commenced at Ovals including Gardens, Nightcliff, Jingili, Kahlin and Fannie Bay, but remain closed to the general public.
Closed until further notice
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Ovals, Parks & Reserves (outside of those stated above with restricted access)
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Community Centres – Lyons (fallen tree on roof requiring repair)
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Cemeteries (outside of those stated above)
Community Guidance: Waste management
General Waste
Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility is open for general waste only (no green waste).
It will reopen for residential green waste from Monday 22 December.
Recycling and general waste kerbside bin collections are operating as normal; however, some delays may occur while we manage increased demand and navigate road closures.
Green Waste
Residents can continue to take their green waste to a free, alternative emergency waste management site at Hidden Valley between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm daily until Sunday 21 December.