Draft Waste Management Policy Review

Project Update

Thank you for participating in the Draft Waste Management Policy Review. We enjoyed interacting with our community at pop ups in Branxton, Cessnock and Kurri Kurri. Public exhibition for the Policy Review has now concluded.

Project Background

In October and November 2024, we invited community feedback via the Waste Survey. This engagement gave residents the opportunity to share what matters most when it comes to waste services in our area. The insights gathered were compiled into a comprehensive report, which directly informed the development of the Draft Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2026–31 that was on exhibition in March and April of this year.

Council is now formalising this direction through an updated Draft Waste Management Policy and we are inviting the community to have a say.

Updates to the Waste Policy

The updated Draft Waste Management Policy reflects a number of important service changes that align with the new strategy and respond to community feedback. These include:

• Weekly collection of food and garden organics (FOGO) bins to support improved resource recovery. (Sections 4.4.1 and 5.3.1)

• Delivery of kitchen caddies and compostable liners to households to assist with food scrap separation at home. (New Sections 4.4.10 and 4.4.11)

• Introduction of an optional, discounted fortnightly general waste collection service for households that produce less waste.(New Section 4.4.2)

• Procedures for managing misuse of the opt-in service, including contamination of recycling or organics bins. (Section 4.4.8)

• Clear processes for managing contaminated resource recovery bins to protect the quality of recycling and composting streams.

• Updates to the waste voucher system:

  • Vouchers will no longer be mailed with rates notices.

  • Vouchers will now be made available to tenants. (Section 4.4.9)

  • Mattresses can now be included on resource recovery vouchers, as requested in the Community Waste Survey in October 2024.

Important Documents

Click here to read the Waste Policy document.

The Draft Waste Management Policy will be on exhibition from Tuesday 23 September - Friday 24 October 2025

Click here to share your thoughts.

Come and Chat With Us!

Got questions or feedback to share about the policy, FOGO or waste in general? We’re hosting pop-up sessions where you can chat to the Waste Team face-to-face:

📍Outside Kurri Kurri Library - Wednesday 24 September / 3 pm - 4:30 pm

📍Huntlee Coles - Wednesday 1 October / 12 pm - 1:30 pm

📍Cessnock Village Shopping Centre - Thursday 9 October / 10:30 am - 12 pm

How to make a submission

The exhibition period will run from Tuesday 23 September until Friday 24 October 2025. You can make a submission using the online form located below or by clicking this link.

Alternatively, should you intend to make a written submission please quote “Draft Waste Management Policy Review”. Written submissions should be addressed to The General Manager and can be submitted via:

• Email to council@cessnock.nsw.gov.au;
• Post to PO Box 152, CESSNOCK NSW 2325

Any views expressed in written or digital submissions will be considered by Council before a final decision is made.