Bass Coast Shire Council’s annual fee-free green waste disposal period will run from Saturday, November 4 until Sunday, November 26 to encourage preparation for the fire season.

During this time, Bass Coast residents and ratepayers can dispose of green waste free of charge at Council’s Waste Facilities in Grantville, Wonthaggi, Inverloch and Cowes.

Bass Coast Mayor Cr Michael Whelan said that it is important for property owners to take steps to clean up their property before the start of summer.

“We’ve already seen bushfires in other parts of Gippsland,” Cr Whelan said, noting these were before the official fire season had even begun.

“We’re encouraging all property owners to take advantage of this fee-free disposal period to ensure they’re prepared before summer begins.”

With the first weekend of the disposal period coinciding with the Melbourne Cup weekend, high demand can result in queues and delays, particularly on this first weekend. Disposing of your green waste in the middle of the fee-free period may help you avoid delays.

To ensure the safety of staff and community during this busy period, Cowes Recycling Bank will be limited in the loads and vehicles it can accept.

Cowes Recycling Bank will:

• Only accept green waste loads up to a maximum of 2m3
• Only accept cars, utes, vans and single axle trailers. Larger vehicles (including trucks and tandem trailers) will be redirected to Grantville or Wonthaggi

Entry to the Cowes Recycling Bank will be via The Concourse end of Dunsmore Road (rather than the Settlement Road end) to assist with management of traffic.

Weed species including blackberry, English ivy, agapanthus, mirror bush and plants that cannot be mulched such as palm fronds are not accepted as green waste, however these can go in your kerbside Organics (green lid) bin at any time.

Locations and operating hours of Council’s Waste Facilities are available at www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/wastefacilities.

Details: www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/greenwaste or contact council.