Byron Shire Council community update – Sunday 9 March
Published on 09 March 2025
The most immediate concern for Council is the availability of water for drinking and household use in Mullumbimby.
Mullumbimby residents are being asked to conserve water as the town’s water treatment plant remains offline.
From tomorrow Council will start reopening offices and facilities although it may take several days for things to be fully operational again.
More information about water, waste collection and other council operations is below.
Water
Mullumbimby’s water treatment plant is still unable to produce drinking water due to high levels of turbidity in the raw water supply.
Mullumbimby residents are asked to limit water use to essential drinking, cooking and hygiene to slow the use of clean drinking water stored in reservoirs.
Tap water is safe to drink and storage levels in Mullumbimby's reservoirs are being monitored.
Mullumbimby residents are asked not to use water for external cleaning and hosing driveways.
Water supplies in other parts of Byron Shire are not affected, however residents are asked to use water with care as demand is expected to increase as cleanup work gets underway.
Sewer services improving but care still needed
Sewer services have been restored in many parts of Byron Shire as electricity comes back online however caution is still needed.
Bangalow and parts of Byron Bay and Suffolk Park continue to be affected by power outages and Council staff are working to maintain basic service with generators ahead of the restoration of mains power.
Residents in impacted areas are asked to continue following the “if it’s brown, flush it down, if it’s yellow, let it mellow” message.
If you are in an area where sewer overflows have occurred please report the incident to Council on 02 6626 7000 or if it’s after hours on 02 6622 7022.
Road and infrastructure damage
Call or email Council:
Wheelie bin collections
Bin collections resume tomorrow. Put bins out the night before.
People who missed their bin collections on Thursday and Friday last week can put all bins (red, yellow and green) out on their normal day next week.
Take packaging off all spoiled food before putting in the green bin otherwise it goes in the red bin.
Areas that are due for recycling collection this week will also have landfill collections.
Red, yellow and green bins will also be collected in:
- Ocean Shores
- North Ocean Shores
- New Brighton
- Brunswick Heads
- South Golden Beach
- Mullumbimby
- Rural properties (red and yellow bins).
Byron Resource Recovery Centre
The Byron Resource Recovery Centre is open again tomorrow.
Green Waste
Free green waste drop off for residential properties will be available from tomorrow, 10 March at the Byron Resource Recovery Centre for storm related green waste eg - branches and twigs, not lawn clippings.
Residents must provide their address to staff at the weighbridge.
Other storm waste
Residents that have other storm related waste can call the Resource Recovery Hotline 1300 652 625 to discuss.
Council facilities and offices
- Council offices in Mullumbimby will reopen tomorrow although staff will only be providing limited face-to-face services. Staff will be available via phone or email.
- Byron Bay Memorial Pool will reopen at lunchtime Monday.
- Petria Thomas Pool will reopen by lunchtime Tuesday.
The following facilities remain closed:
- Sports fields.
- Council-managed halls are closed until they are inspected for damage.
- Libraries
- Sandhills Early Childhood Centre (closed Monday 10 March)
Beach Access and Coastal Erosion
All beach accesses managed by Byron Shire Council are closed.
For safety people should keep off eroded dunes and stay away from the foot of the eroded dune face.
Do not empty or place sandbags on the beach.
Donations
People who want to help communities affected by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred are asked to NOT DROP or SEND donations into impacted regions as unrequested donations can hamper recovery efforts.
Rather they should go to GIVIT.org.au to find out exactly what’s needed.
GIVIT has been contracted by the NSW Government to manage donations of essential goods and services for people impacted by disasters.
People can however register to help with the Mullumbimby and District Neighbourhood Centre (MDNC).
The MDNC is taking early volunteer registrations for food support, material aid, and counselling.
The MDNC is not currently taking registrations for clean-up activities.
Recovery Support
The NSW Reconstruction Authority is the agency that provides recovery support for communities affected by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Information about recovery centres and other support available is on the NSW Government website.
For media enquiries call the Media and Comms team on 02 6626 7320.