Archive for month: October, 2026
Getting Started with Your Kitchen Caddy
The kitchen caddy supplied as part of the three-bin service makes it easier to collect food scraps inside the home before transferring them to your green-lidded Food and Garden Organics bin.
Using the caddy regularly can help reduce the amount of food waste going into the red-lidded general waste bin and improve the effectiveness of the new service.
Council has prepared a series of simple kitchen caddy tips to help residents get started before collections commence on 5 October.
From launch day, additional waste sorting resources and practical guides will also be available through Halve Waste.
For more information about the service and FAQs, visit Three-Bin Kerbside Collection Service.
Three-Bin Service Starts Monday 5 October
Some households may still be waiting on their information pack or red collection sticker.
Council’s contractor has been delivering packs and stickers across the Shire, however some deliveries will continue into next week.
If you have not yet received your pack or sticker, there is no need to be concerned. The new three-bin kerbside collection service will still commence as scheduled on Monday, 5 October.
For Week 1, place out:
🗑️ General Waste Bin (existing red-lidded bin)
🌱 FOGO Bin (new lime green-lidded bin)
on your usual collection day.
Households with a domestic waste service included in their Council rates will continue to receive collections, even if their information pack or sticker has not yet arrived.
Information packs and remaining stickers will continue to be delivered over the coming week.
Collection calendars, sorting guides and information about what goes in each bin are available at:
https://engage.wentworth.nsw.gov.au/3-bins
For assistance, contact Wentworth Shire Council on (03) 5027 5027.
Collection Zones
2026 Collection Calendars
2027 Collection Calendars
Daylight Saving Time Begins This Weekend
Residents are reminded that daylight saving time begins this Sunday, 4 October 2026.
At 2:00am on Sunday morning, clocks will move forward one hour to 3:00am. Daylight saving time applies in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.
Most smartphones, computers and connected devices will update automatically. However, residents may need to manually adjust analogue clocks, watches, ovens, microwaves and other household appliances.
The change means an extra hour of daylight in the evening and shorter daylight hours in the morning. Residents travelling interstate are reminded that some states and territories do not observe daylight saving time, including Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
For more information about daylight saving in New South Wales, visit the NSW Government website.
Double Demerits in Force for Labour Day Long Weekend
Motorists are being reminded to take extra care on the roads this Labour Day long weekend, with double demerit points in force across New South Wales from 12:00am Friday 2 October until 11:59pm Monday 5 October 2026.
The double demerit period is designed to encourage safer driving behaviours during periods of increased traffic on the road network. Double demerit points apply to offences involving:
- Speeding
- Illegal mobile phone use
- Not wearing a seatbelt or incorrectly wearing a seatbelt
- Riding a motorcycle without an approved helmet
During this period, drivers caught committing these offences will receive double the usual demerit points. Fines remain unchanged.
With many residents and visitors expected to be travelling throughout the region over the long weekend and school holiday period, Wentworth Shire Council encourages all road users to plan ahead, obey speed limits, avoid distractions, take regular rest breaks and ensure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained.
A few simple decisions can help keep everyone safe on the road. Slow down, stay alert and arrive safely.
For more information on double demerit periods and road safety in New South Wales, visit the Transport for NSW road safety website.
Labour Day Public Holiday Service Arrangements
Wentworth Shire Council advises residents and visitors of changed operating hours for Council services during the Labour Day Public Holiday on Monday 5 October 2026. Normal hours of operation will resume on Tuesday 6 October 2026.
While many Council services will be closed for the public holiday, some facilities will remain open.
Closed on Monday 5 October 2026
- Main Administration Office, 61 Darling Street, Wentworth
- Midway Service Centre, 3 Midway Drive, Buronga
- Council Libraries (Midway, Dareton and Wentworth)
- Council Workshop and Depot Store, Short Street, Wentworth
- Dareton Transfer Station
- Ellerslie Transfer Station
- Pomona Tip
- Wentworth Transfer Station
Open on Monday 5 October 2026
- Buronga Landfill, 8:00am to 4:45pm
- Visitor Information Centre, 61 Darling Street, Wentworth, 9:00am to 1:00pm
For Council-related emergencies, please call (03) 5027 5027. For life-threatening emergencies, call 000.
For further information, contact Wentworth Shire Council on (03) 5027 5027 or email council@wentworth.nsw.gov.au.
Motorcycle Awareness Month – October 2026
Wentworth Shire Council is supporting Motorcycle Awareness Month throughout October.
Motorcycle Awareness Month is an initiative of the Motorcycle Council of NSW, supported by Transport for NSW. The campaign encourages drivers to look out for motorcycles and promotes safe riding practices among motorcycle and scooter riders.
Motorcycle and scooter riders face greater risks on the road because they have less protection than occupants of other vehicles. On average between 2000 and 2024, 57 motorcycle riders were killed and 1,088 were seriously injured each year on NSW roads.
In 2024, motorcycles represented 3.7 per cent of registered motor vehicles but motorcyclists accounted for 20.7 per cent of road fatalities and nearly 4,500 injuries in NSW.
If you are driving
- Scan the road and look for motorcycles, particularly at intersections and roundabouts.
- Check mirrors and blind spots before turning, changing lanes or merging.
- Look for riders before pulling away from the kerb.
- Allow riders enough space to avoid road surface hazards and other obstacles.
- Do not assume that a motorcycle rider has seen you.
If you are riding
- Wear appropriate protective gear on every ride, regardless of the distance.
- Check that your motorcycle is roadworthy and regularly serviced.
- Plan the safest route and check weather, road and traffic conditions.
- Allow time for rest breaks and do not ride when tired.
- Ride to the speed limit and adjust your riding for road, visibility and weather conditions.
- Maintain a safe distance and assume that other road users may not have seen you.
From 1 July 2026, NSW learner motorcycle riders must wear an approved high-visibility vest or jacket. Learner, P1 and P2 riders must also wear approved protective motorcycle gloves.
Road safety is a shared responsibility. Drivers and riders can help reduce deaths and serious injuries by remaining alert, following the road rules and allowing other road users sufficient space.
For motorcycle safety information, visit the Transport for NSW motorcyclist safety webpage.
Riders can compare the protection and comfort ratings of helmets, jackets, pants and gloves through the Motorcycle Clothing Assessment Program.