Tues 9 April - Flood update & Council services

With parts of the entire city impacted by the Saturday morning weather event and widespread, extensive damage to public and private property, we continue to support our community on the immediate recovery and cleanup.

Council staff remain a strong presence in our community with all hands-on-deck to clear and clean roads, footpaths, and culverts, as well as collect flood damaged waste from impacted residents.

The best way to stay up to date with the latest Council services information and community information is by following the City of Wollongong Facebook page.

See below for updates on the unfolding recovery situation.

Waste & cleanup updates for residents

Our priority is supporting flood-impacted residents to dispose of soiled and damaged waste as soon as we can. If you’ve been impacted:

• Save a trip to the tip and book a free on-call household cleanup (for flood impacted residents only). Call Remondis on 1300 362 360.
• Prepare for your on-call household cleanup by separating waste as best as you can out front of your house (where it’s safe to do so). We will accept building waste (excluding asbestos), food waste, wet clothes, rugs, carpets, damaged furniture, and general household waste.
• Be mindful of asbestos. While asbestos materials are less of a risk when wet, if your house was built before 1990 it’s still a risk. Visit the NSW EPA website for info on how to safely dispose: www.epa.nsw.gov.au
• If you can’t wait for an on-call household cleanup, fees are being temporarily waived for general waste disposed of at Whytes Gully Waste Depot for flood impacted residents only. You may be asked for proof of address.
• Where possible, please sort your items and drop off recyclables at the Community Recycling Centre.

Support and assistance

The NSW Government just announced that from Thursday 11 April, Recovery Assistance Centres will be open at two locations to support impacted residents and businesses get the help they need.

As community needs change, the Service NSW website will be updated with information on where you can seek face-to-face support.

Federal & NSW Government are offering impacted residents support. This includes emergency accommodation, small cash payments, grants, and more. Call Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit your nearest Recovery Centre (during opening hours) for more information.

Beaches – opening gradually

We’re reopening beaches, location by location depending on localised conditions. It may take some time to clean up our beaches and foreshore areas. Please check to see if the red and yellow flags are up and Lifeguards or volunteer Lifesavers are on duty before going for a swim.

In the meantime, we're encouraging people to use a high degree of caution, due to potential safety impacts of rubbish and debris.

Sportsgrounds – check the website

We’re gradually reopening sports fields where we can. Many remain closed to give the sodden ground time to recover. Check our Sportsgrounds webpage for the latest closure information.

Playgrounds, parks & open spaces

Many of our playgrounds and parks are extremely boggy and need time to dry out. We ask that residents do not train on or ride a bike on wet ground.

The Windang Foreshore Park playground is closed.

Pools

Some of our pools have been closed due to water contamination caused by wet weather. Check our pools webpage for updates on closures.

Road closures [last updated 2pm, Tuesday 9 April]

In addition to the road closures on Live Traffic NSW, road closures are in place at:

• Kelton Lane, Thirroul
• Vera St, Helensburgh – closed and controlled by Transport for NSW with traffic control.
• Asquith St, Austinmer.

The pedestrian bridge on O’Briens Road, Figtree near the High School is also closed.