Waste levy fee waived due to recent flooding

The NSW Government has waived the waste levy fee ($170.10 per tonne) for a period of three months to support communities in the Hunter region, including the Newcastle local government area, impacted by recent flooding.

The levy waiver will be available up until 18 August 2025.

The Summerhill gate fee, which covers the City of Newcastle’s operating costs, will still apply.

The reduced disposal fees apply to storm-related waste from both public and private land, including:

Damaged building materials
Furniture
Carpet
Food waste
Other flood-affected items.

Garden organics, mattresses, fridges, freezers and air conditioner are already levy-exempt. The fees for these items remain unchanged.

Refer to Summerhill's Fees and Charges (PDF 685kB) flyer for a detailed list of individual waste disposal fees.

Examples:

To dispose of eligible storm-related putrescible waste (e.g.; food waste) the minimum charge will be $64. With the waste levy waived, you can dispose of approximately 200kg for the price of 140kg.
The fee for one tonne of storm-damaged plasterboard and concrete will be reduced from $434 per tonne to $263.90 per tonne.

To check if your local government area is eligible for the storm-related waste levy waiver, visit the Environment Protection Authority's website.

City of Newcastle acknowledges that we operate on the grounds of the traditional country of the Awabakal and Worimi peoples.
We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and continuing relationship with the land, and that they are the proud survivors of more than two hundred years of dispossession.
CN reiterates its commitment to address disadvantages and attain justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this community.