Post wet season free green waste disposal

With the wet season wrapping up, Council is urging residents to make the most of the year’s second free green waste disposal period, running from Saturday 16 May to Sunday 24 May.

The end of the wet season is the perfect time to rein in overgrown gardens and clear excess vegetation.

Regular garden maintenance is especially important in the tropics, where heat and heavy rainfall fuel rapid growth and create ideal conditions for pests such as mosquitoes, snakes and rodents.

Residents are reminded not to dump garden waste in drains or waterways, where it can be washed into the stormwater system. Blocked drains significantly increase the risk of flooding during heavy rain, threatening homes, infrastructure and the environment.

Free green waste disposal will be available daily from 8.30am to 5.15pm at:

• Portsmith Transfer Station
• Smithfield Transfer Station
• Gordonvale Transfer Station
• Babinda Transfer Station

Residents are also encouraged to make a voluntary gold coin donation, with all proceeds supporting The Agile Project – Wildlife Rescue.

Based in Far North Queensland, the registered non‑profit rescues and rehabilitates native wildlife.

Founded in 2017 as The Agile Wallaby Project, the organisation pioneered relocation protocols for large-scale macropod rescues, particularly wallabies from Trinity Beach. Today, The Agile Project brings together more than 150 volunteers caring for native wildlife across Cairns and surrounding areas.

Two additional free green waste disposal periods are planned later this year:

• 15–23 August
• 14–22 November

For more information on waste services, visit the Cairns Regional Council website.

Note: this offer is for domestic cars, utilities and/or trailers and light trucks (vehicle weight to GVM 4.5 tonnes). Normal rates apply for disposal of any other waste during this period, including green waste from garden maintenance contractors on behalf of residents.