Lismore City Council, Media Release, 9 March 2025

Residents of the Lismore City Council area can dispose of their flood waste for free at the Recycling & Recovery Centre at Wyrallah Road in East Lismore, which reopens tomorrow.

Initially, residents can drop off their flood waste for free from tomorrow until Close of Business on Sunday, 23 March.

Council will then reassess demand and inform the community if any extension is required.

Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg made the announcement following the damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

“We really dodged a bullet with this one, but there is a lot of damage, including downed trees,” he said.

“Our residents shouldn’t have to bear the cost of this weather event.

“Council will provide free drop off for waste generated as a consequence of the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, including general waste from flood-affected properties and green waste from storm damage.”

Council asks residents to ensure green waste is free from general waste. If any load is found to contain asbestos not properly double-wrapped and sealed in plastic, it will be rejected.

During this period, community members attending the facility should expect longer wait times and we ask that you please be patient as Council resumes operations.

Kerbside collection, which was paused during they cyclonic event for, will resume on Monday, 10 March 2025, including business waste collections.

Residents whose bins were not collected during this period are asked to leave all bins out for collection on Wednesday 5, Thursday 6 and Friday 7 March.

The Return and Earn will be open tomorrow between 10am and 3pm, with the Lismore Revolve Shop reopening on Wednesday, 19 March (9am to 2pm). This extended closure is due to staff being redirected to completing inspections of the expected higher volumes of green waste. The Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens will remain closed until further notice.

The Nimbin Transfer Station will reopen Tuesday, 11 March, 8am to 3pm.