Cook Shire Council is reminding residents about the importance of safe and responsible waste disposal after a recent fire incident at the Cooktown Waste Transfer Station.
The fire, suspected to have been caused by combustible items such as batteries, resulted in significant damage to the site, including the destruction of a catchment net installed in October 2023. The extent of damage cause by the fire is still being assessed but is currently anticipated to come in over $100,000.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of properly disposing of hazardous and combustible materials to ensure the safety of our community, staff, and waste management facilities.
Hazardous and combusitble items that should not be disposed of in general waste include:
-
- Materials that ignite spontaneously when exposed to air.
- Combustible items such as flares, batteries, ammunition, and pyrotechnics.
Easy and free disposal options
-
- Flares: Safely dispose of flares at designated locations in Northern Queensland. Find them here.
- Batteries: Drop off old batteries for free during opening hours at all Council Waste Transfer Stations, or at the Main Admin Building, IGA, Cooktown Library, and Lakeland Roadhouse.
To prevent future incidents, please do not place hazardous items like flares or batteries in your kerbside bin. This small step helps protect lives and valuable infrastructure.
For more tips on waste disposal and recycling, visit RecycleMate. This user-friendly resource guides you on what can go in your kerbside bin and directs you to local drop-off points for recyclable and hazardous materials.
By disposing of waste responsibly, we can all contribute to a safer, cleaner, and more sustainable Cook Shire. Thank you for helping us protect our community and facilities. Together, we can make a positive difference.
