What you need to know 

• The August 2026 Pre-Cyclone Clean-up has been postponed to May 2027. 
• Hard waste disposal options remain available year-round at Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility. 
• Residents are encouraged to continue donating their preloved reusable items to the Reviva Reuse Shop, or other charitable organisations. 
• As there will be no collection in August 2026, residents must not place items on verges. Waste placed on verges is considered illegal dumping and fines may apply. 
• A limited assisted pick-up service will remain available in August 2026 for eligible residents.

Darwin’s city-wide 2026 Pre-Cyclone Clean-up (PCCU) has been postponed to May 2027

City of Darwin has postponed the city‑wide August Pre-Cyclone Clean-up to May 2027. A limited assisted pick-up service will remain available in August for eligible residents who require assistance removing hazardous outdoor items from their yard or other accessible outdoor areas. 

When will the next outdoor hard-rubbish collection service take place? 

The next city-wide outdoor hard waste collection will take place in May 2027. Further information, including collection dates and preparation requirements, will be published in due course. 

Why has PCCU been postponed? 

Following Cyclone Fina in November 2025, City of Darwin undertook an extensive recovery and restoration program, which was completed on 30 April 2026. 

While the cyclone recovery program has concluded, the scale of the response had a significant impact on normal operations across the municipality. City of Darwin is now focused on restoring business-as-usual service levels and addressing outstanding maintenance works that were deferred during the recovery period. 

As a result, the municipal-wide hard rubbish collection has been postponed until May 2027, allowing City of Darwin to prioritise these works while continuing to provide year-round disposal options and assisted collection services for eligible residents. 

Helpful FAQs

Can I place items on the verge now and wait for collection? 

No. There will be no verge collection in August 2026, and items must not be placed on verges. Items on verges will be classified as illegal dumping and fines may apply.  

Will there be a hard-rubbish collection in 2027?

Yes. The city-wide collection is scheduled for May 2027. Further information, including collection dates and preparation requirements will be published in due course. 

Why isn't it being delivered in August 2026?

Following Cyclone Fina, City of Darwin resources continue to be directed towards restoration works across the municipality. As these efforts are expected to continue throughout 2026, City of Darwin has postponed the city-wide outdoor hard waste collection to May 2027 to ensure it can be delivered safely and efficiently, while restoration works remain a priority. 

What has been the impact of Cyclone Fina on City of Darwin operations? 

Cyclone Fina made landfall on 22 November 2025, the earliest cyclone to make landfall on the Northern Territory coast since records began, and the most intense cyclone to hit Darwin since Cyclone Tracy. Restoration efforts were hindered by the record-breaking wet season that followed.  

It took City of Darwin staff and contractors over five months to complete the recovery and much of our ongoing works and maintenance are still impacted by the challenges brought about by Cyclone Fina and the ensuing wet season.  

Cyclone Fina has placed additional demands on City of Darwin's operational resources, with staff and contractors continuing restoration works across the municipality. As many of these teams are also involved in delivering the city-wide outdoor hard waste collection, City of Darwin has postponed the service until May 2027 to prioritise restoration works and ensure all services can be delivered safely and effectively.

What has made Cyclone Fina recovery such a significant undertaking?

Cyclone Fina made landfall on 22 November 2025, the earliest cyclone to make landfall on the Northern Territory coast since records began, and the most intense cyclone to hit Darwin since Cyclone Tracy. Recovery efforts were hindered by the record-breaking wet season that followed. City of Darwin staff and contractors worked tirelessly through the wet season to minimise safety risks and impact to the public.  

For more information, please visit our Cyclone Fina page.

Can I still dispose of hard waste for free? 

Yes. Eligible residents can dispose of approved items for free at Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility. Please read below for more information. 

What if I have mobility limitations?

To support those who may face challenges preparing their property for cyclone season, City of Darwin will offer a limited assisted pick-up service in August 2026 for eligible residents with mobility limitations or disability-related barriers who require assistance removing hazardous outdoor items from their yard or other accessible outdoor areas.

Do you need to dispose of unwanted hard waste? 

City of Darwin offers a range of options to dispose of your own waste for free:  

• Residents can dispose of eligible hard waste year-round at the Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility 
• Residents who receive a City of Darwin waste collection service and hold an Access Tag can use Shoal Bay to dispose of eligible unwanted items.

Eligible waste items for disposal include: 

• General waste 
• Cardboard 
• Scrap metal 
• Light bulbs and fluorescent tubes 
• E-waste 
• Car batteries 
• Gas bottles 
• Paints and oils (up to 10L) 
• Green waste (to drop-off green waste, follow the signs to the green waste area) 
• Whitegoods (to be dropped off at the location next to the Education Centre, at the rear of the main car park) 
• For all other items, follow the signs to the Transfer Station and separate your items into the areas marked.

If your unwanted items are still in good condition, consider donating them to the Reviva Reuse Shop at SBWMF before visiting the Transfer Station. The team can help determine whether your items are suitable for reuse. 

A few simple choices can help divert more waste from landfill. For more ways to reduce, reuse and recycle around your home, visit our Recycling Page. 

Illegal dumping  

• Residents are reminded that placing waste or unwanted items on verges is not permitted and illegal dumping compliance rules will be enforced.  
• Residents should use approved disposal options, including Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility, rather than leaving items on public land.  
• If you notice dumped waste in a public area, you can report it through Snap Send Solve. Your report helps us respond quickly and keep our community clean and safe. 

Limited Assisted Hard Waste Pick-Up Service – August 2026 

To support those who may face challenges preparing their property for cyclone season, City of Darwin will offer a limited assisted pick-up service in August 2026 for eligible residents with mobility limitations or disability-related barriers who require assistance removing hazardous outdoor items from their yard or other accessible outdoor areas. 

If you are unable to manage or remove of outdoor hard waste yourself, and do not have anyone to assist you, you may be eligible for an Assisted Pick-Up Service. 

There are limited spots for this service. Bookings are available for those who meet the eligibility criteria. 

To be eligible for the 2026 assisted pick up outdoor hard waste collection program, residents must meet the following four eligibility criteria:    

• reside within the City of Darwin municipality 
• have limited physical and/ or mental capacity to remove unwanted outdoor items and hold a current disability support card or a current doctor’s certificate for any of the following reasons:  
  • disability, age related frailty, mental illness, chronic illness, injury, recovery from surgery or another medical condition 
• have no household member who is reasonably able to undertake the work safely 
• have no reasonable access to informal or community support to undertake the work 

If this sounds like you, please visit our Assisted Pick-ups Page to learn more. 

More Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there no PCCU in 2026?

• The city-wide Pre-Cyclone Clean-Up collection has been postponed from August 2026 to May 2027. 
• City of Darwin continues to restore maintenance programs and service levels across Darwin following Cyclone Fina. Eligible residents with mobility or accessibility limitations can still access an assisted collection service in August 2026 ahead of the wet season. 

Why is the city-wide collection being held in May 2027 instead? 

• Following Cyclone Fina, City of Darwin's focus has been on recovery, restoration and returning services to normal levels across the municipality. 
• Holding the collection in May 2027 allows City of Darwin to prioritise outstanding maintenance and business-as-usual operations. 
• The cooler dry season provides safer working conditions and supports more efficient service delivery. 
• It will also allow City of Darwin to trial a dry season collection while maintaining alternative disposal options for residents throughout the year.

Does this mean Darwin is less prepared for cyclone season? 

• No. Residents are encouraged to prepare for cyclone season throughout the year by securing or disposing of loose outdoor items. 
• Waste can still be taken to Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility year-round. 
• Assisted pick-ups are still available for eligible residents with limited mobility.

What should I do with unwanted items before cyclone season? 

• Residents can dispose of unwanted items at Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility using their Access Tag. 
• Items in good condition can be donated to the Reviva Reuse Shop, local charities or offered for resale through platforms such as the Too Much Stuff Market or online marketplaces. 

How do I access the Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility and Reviva Reuse Shop? 

• Access to the Reviva Reuse Shop is open to the public to drop off unwanted items in a useable condition for resale and reuse. See here for more information on open hours and what items are accepted at the Reviva Reuse Shop.  
• All residential properties within the Darwin municipality (that pay the waste levy) are also provided with a Shoal Bay Access Tag, allowing residents to access the facility for free disposal of eligible general waste at the Transfer Station. 
• If you are not a homeowner, please contact your landlord or real estate agent to discuss accessing the tag associated with your home address.  
• For more information, please visit Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility 

Where can I go to learn more about cyclone preparation?  

Please refer to the Secure NT website for more information. 

Can I place items on the verge in 2026? 

• No. There will be no verge collection in August 2026, and items must not be placed on verges. Items on verges will be classified as illegal dumping and fines may apply. 
• Residents are reminded that placing waste or unwanted items on verges is not permitted and fines may apply as this is classified as illegal dumping. Residents should use approved disposal options, including Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility, rather than leaving items on public land. 
• If you notice illegally dumped waste in a public area, you can report it through Snap Send Solve. Your report helps us respond quickly and keep our community clean and safe. 

Will there be any collection service in 2026? 

• In August 2026, a limited assisted collection service will be available for eligible residents who have mobility or accessibility limitations and cannot transport items to Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility themselves. 
• For more information, visit our Assisted Pick-ups Page.

More Information 

Check back on this page or follow City of Darwin on social media for more information and updates on the city-wide outdoor hard waste collection in May 2027.