The Singleton Waste Management Facility is scheduled to reopen to the public next Monday, January 12, following extensive remediation works after a significant fire broke out in late December.
Firefighters Battle Blaze for Hours
Emergency services were first alerted to the incident at the Singleton tip on December 30. Reports indicated a blaze had ignited on the tip face and subsequently spread to adjacent bushland. Multiple firefighting crews from the region responded, working through the afternoon and into the night to contain the flames.
The operation involved ground crews and aerial support, with helicopters making repeated water drops to douse the fire. Pictures shared by the Wittingham Rural Fire Brigade and Hunter Valley RFS showed the scale of the response required to bring the situation under control.
Round-the-Clock Remediation Efforts
Since the fire was extinguished, Singleton Council staff have been working "around the clock" to complete necessary safety and environmental works. A council spokesperson confirmed that the primary focus has been on establishing a new, safe area for mixed waste disposal on the site.
"All activities have been carried out in line with strict environmental and safety requirements," the council stated, assuring the community that the site will be ready for operation by the announced date.
Impact on Waste Services and Community Reminder
While the tip has been closed, kerbside waste collections have continued as normal across the Singleton local government area. However, some delays to red bin (general waste) services have occurred. This is due to the additional travel time required for collection trucks to transport waste to alternative facilities outside the area.
The council has brought in extra trucks to help crews catch up on any backlog. Residents are advised to place their bins out as usual and leave them out until collected as services return to the regular schedule.
The incident has prompted the council to reiterate a crucial safety message for all households. Batteries, electrical waste, gas bottles, chemicals, and solvents must never be placed in kerbside bins, as they can pose serious fire risks. These items can be disposed of for free at the Community Recycling Centre located within the Waste Management Facility once it reopens, or through other approved local businesses.
Singleton Council has thanked the community for its patience while staff worked alongside emergency services to resolve the issue and prepare the facility for a safe reopening.
