2023 Pre-cyclone Clean-up Complete

Please note that the 2023 pre-cyclone clean-up collection program is now complete and bookings for assisted pick-ups are closed.

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Frequently asked questions | Separating items | Tips on safety | What items will be collected | Prohibited items

City of Darwin’s pre-cyclone clean-up is an opportunity to tidy up around your yard and prepare for cyclone season.

The pre-cyclone clean-up is to help residents dispose of items that may become hazardous in a cyclone. Take advantage of this free service. There is no cost associated with the pre-cyclone clean-up for Darwin residents, making it convenient and accessible for all.

The clean-up service is for household items that are broken or cannot be reused and are too big for kerbside general waste red-topped wheelie bins. This includes furniture, whitegoods, mattresses, scrap metals from items like BBQs and bikes, and other similar items. Up to two cubic metres can be collected per household. 

Download the Pre-Cyclone Clean-Up brochure here.

2023 Zones and Collection Periods

For the clean-up to go smoothly, we've divided the collection into two zones. You can find which Zone your suburb is in on the map below.

Items are to be placed on the verge the day before collection in your Zone begins, no sooner. Below are scheduled collection periods for each Zone. Once your street is completed, we will not return to do additional pickups.

Zone 1 (Green) - Monday 4 September - 15 September 2023 | Zone 2 (Blue) - Monday 18 September - 29 September 2023 | Northcrest collection 

Zone 1 (Green) - Monday 4 September - 15 September 2023

Zone 2 (Blue) - Monday 18 September - 29 September 2023

Northcrest collection

Separate to these two zones, City of Darwin will also be supporting the Northcrest Estate through the Pre-Cyclone Clean Up.

If you live in Northcrest, your collection date is Saturday 16 September 2023.

You will need to have your items on the verge the day before on Friday 15 September for collection, no sooner.

Assisted Pick Ups

Assisted pick-ups for 2023 are now complete..

 

Safety requirements when placing your items out for collection

• Ensure you place your items in a responsible way and in a neat pile to avoid spillage onto the footpath. 
• Our crews will be moving through a suburb near you soon, so be aware of City of Darwin staff, contractors and vehicles during collection period.
• Place your items for collection responsibly, leaving footpaths and roadways clear and be aware of the potential danger of other people’s items left on nature strips.
• Remove doors and any glass shelves from items such as fridges, washing machines and dishwashers. Glass turntables should also be removed from microwaves. Glass, mirrors, paint and liquids are not only prohibited but can become a hazard to the community and damage property if left on the verge. 
• Please help keep our community safe and only put out what can be picked up.

Separate your items

To make collection easier, please separate your items into groups with similar items. This will help streamline the clean-up process and ensure efficient collection.

Be sure to leave a space between groups rather than bundling everything together.

What will be picked up during the clean up?

The clean-up service is for outdoor household items that are broken or cannot be reused and are too big for kerbside general waste red-topped wheelie bins. 

Items that will be collected are:

Below is an example of how to group your items when placing these out for collection:

Did you Know?

When placing fridges, freezers or items with a compartment over 40L capacity or more, you must remove the doors/lids, hinges or locks before placing them in a public space.

Items that will not be collected are:

• commercial waste
• concrete
• garden waste
• liquids
• paints
• asbestos
• car parts (including batteries and tyres)
• glass and mirrors, including glass shelves from fridges and microwaves
• food waste (including fridges containing food waste)
• gas bottles
• cardboard is not accepted and should go in the yellow-topped wheelie bins, and 
• large items that exceed 2 metres in length, such as cardboard, scrap metal. trampolines, swing sets and lengths of timber. Items over 2 metres must be cut down. 

Residents will be asked to remove these prohibited items from their verge when the collection team comes past. 

Alternative waste streams

We are committed to creating a clean and green city.  

Your household items can find a new lease on life through reusing, recycling or donating to HPA’s Trash and Treasure shop at the Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility.

You can do your bit by repairing household items or giving them a new lease on life, recycling cardboard using your yellow bin, and composting your food scraps for use in your garden.

FAQs

Who can put out items for the Pre-Cyclone Clean Up collection?

If you are a resident living in the Darwin municipality and you (or your landlord) pay a waste levy to City of Darwin, you are entitled to place your items out in time for the Pre-Cyclone Clean Up in your area. If you rent and are not sure if your property is included, we recommend contacting your landlord or property manager.

The Pre-Cyclone Clean Up is for residential properties only. All commercial/industrial properties should make their own waste disposal arrangements.

Please pay attention to the Zones and what dates your items needs to out by (see Zone map and times above). Items are not to be put out early as this can become a safety issue for the community. 

What happens to the items I put out?

Our clean-up crews start collecting items as per the below dates.

• Zone 1 - Monday 4 September 2023

• Zone 2 - Monday 18 September 2023

We assign our trucks to collect the items based on the type of material, such as metals, whitegoods or furniture. This helps us sort items to maximise what can be reused and recycled.

The items are then taken to the Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility.

If items are not separated clearly, this limits our ability to reuse and/or recycle effectively.

What happens to the different types of materials?

• All items in good condition that can be reused are salvaged and donated to HPA Trash & Treasure shop
• Scrap Metals is taken to a scrap metal merchant for recycling
• Whitegoods are taken to Shoal Bay for degassing and then on to a scrap metal merchant for recycling
• E-waste is collected at Shoal Bay for recycling
• Items that cannot be recycled are direct to landfill at Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility

Why do I still have items on my verge even though it's past my Zones' pick-up date?

The reason that items are still on your verge could be either:

1. Your items are hazardous and cannot be collected by our crew - Please check your letterbox for a Prohibited Items notice. You will need to make other arrangements for disposal of these items.
2. We have not reached your street yet – The Collection Period for each Zone takes up to two weeks. Please check this web page regularly as we will update suburbs completed as the collection convoy progresses. 
3. You have placed items on your verge before or after the required date for your Zone – Each Zone and collection period is shown above. Items are to be placed on the verge the day before the collection period in your Zone begins, no sooner.

We are still collecting item groups

Items are collected in groups by the types of product/material they are. As we are covering a large area, it can take several days for all of your items to be collected.

Please do not continue to place new items on the verge as we will not collect from groups that have already been picked up.

Examples of collection groups assigned:

• Whitegoods
• E-waste
• Scrap metals
• Furniture and toys

If you have placed hazardous materials out

Council is not licensed to transport hazardous materials such as paints, batteries, gas bottles, etc.  If you have placed any of the items listed below, you are required to dispose of these appropriately yourself.

Items that will not be collected during the Pre-Cyclone Clean Up are:

• garden refuse, palm fronds, etc. 
• general household waste that belongs in your red-topped bin. 
• liquids
• paints
• asbestos
• car bodies, tyres, batteries 
• glass and mirrors

For advice, or more information on how to do this look up your items on our A-Z Disposal Guide or contact our Waste team

08 8930 0300

I missed my pick up date; can I arrange a special collection?

No, we are unable to arrange special collections if you have missed your date.

If you have missed your date and have items that need to be disposed prior to the wet season, you are able to take them to the transfer station at the Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility. Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility is located off Vanderlin Drive and is open every day from 7am to 6pm except Christmas Day. You will need your access tag to enter the facility.

Learn more about the facility

Why do refrigerators, freezers and furniture with compartments need to have their doors and glass shelves removed?

Under '65AA Dumping of certain containers' of the Summary Offences Act it is an offence to leave the following items (if their capacity is equal to 40L or more) in a public place without first removing the doors/lids, locks and hinges.

• refrigerator/freezer
• icebox
• trunks
• other articles of furniture with a compartment 

These items can pose a safety risk to small children. 

Glass shelves from refrigerators should also be removed and disposed of safely. Glass becomes a serious hazard if left on the verge. 

Can seniors or people with a disability get assistance with their items?

Yes, if you are a resident requiring assistance and it is prior to your collection date please call us on:

08 8930 0431

Why is it called the Pre-Cyclone Clean Up and not a hard rubbish collection?

Rumour has it that the Pre-Cyclone Clean Up started many years ago and was a service provided by Neighbourhood Watch for Nightcliff residents only to help them prepare for the upcoming cyclone season.

Now it is a service provided by Council for the whole Darwin municipality (paying a waste levy). We still call it the Pre-Cyclone Clean Up as the main aim of the collection is to make sure your home is free from hazardous materials in the event of a cyclone.

We will not pick up liquids, paints, concrete, asbestos, car parts (including batteries and tyres), glass or mirrors, food waste (including fridges containing food waste), gas bottles and items that exceed 2 metres in length, such as cardboard, scrap metal, trampolines, swing sets and lengths of timber. 

More Information

Contact us for more Pre-Cyclone Clean-up information

08 8930 0300

darwin@darwin.nt.gov.au