Visiting the Centre

Make your trip to to the centre easier by packing your trailer or ute in the right order, so you can unload it at the various drop-off points quickly. For example, garden organics is your first stop, so it would need to be packed last and mixed waste packed first.

It's also important to secure and cover your load and make sure the weight is correctly distributed.

There's a cost for all of the waste management services offered at the Centre, from recycling to landfill. The most effective way to reduce the cost is through recycling and diverting material from landfill.

In NSW, waste facilities are licenced by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). As part of this licence:

• Council must pay the NSW State Waste Levy of $170.10 (2024/25) for every tonne received.
• All waste must be recorded via a weighbridge (providing accurate records and recording both waste and recyclables) and a monthly report provided to the EPA.
• Council's current levy contribution is in the order of $6 million per year.

Minimum charges for the site for 2024/25 are:

• $6 for recyclable and recoverable materials (excluding problem waste)
• $16 for mixed, special and commercial waste

Electronic payments are preferred. Account transactions available for regular users.

Fees and charges at the site for 2024/25 are:

Full fees and charges for mixed and separated loads at the landfill are listed in Council’s Fees and Charges.

Note: Charges include the NSW State Government Waste Levy of $170.10/tonne.

• All vehicles must go over the weighbridge to dispose of waste or recyclables at the site.
• You'll be given a swipe card at the weighbridge that records your transaction.
• If you're disposing of mixed waste, you'll drive over an internal weighbridge. Wait until you have completely stopped and swipe your card.
• On exit, hand in your swipe card to finalise your transaction.

Safety procedures are in place for your protection and must be adhered to at all times.

• Obey speed limits, signs and staff instructions.
• Enclosed footwear must be worn.
• Keep children and pets inside your vehicle.
• No smoking on site.

Waste vouchers are issued each financial year to all residential properties that receive a domestic waste service. Properties that pay for more than one service will receive their additional vouchers separately.

Each voucher is printed with a unique barcode and the property address. Proof of address (e.g. rates notice, driver’s licence or utilities bill) matching that on the voucher is required for use.

Conditions of use

• Vouchers are only valid for use at the Cessnock Waste Management Centre

• Vouchers can only be used for domestic household waste

• Each voucher can be used to dispose of up to 250kg of household waste

• Loads over 250kg require additional vouchers or will be charged in accordance with Council's Fees and Charges

• Vouchers cannot be used for disposing of mattresses, tyres or special waste such as asbestos

• Vouchers are valid to the date shown on the voucher itself

• Vouchers must be presented at the time of disposal along with proof of address 

• Renters are encouraged to request vouchers from their landlord/property manager

Please note: Resale of vouchers may result in the voucher being rendered void. The voucher system is designed to assist residents manage their domestic waste disposal responsibly. Abuse of this service, such as on-selling, may result in the system being withdrawn.  Commercial waste services do not include vouchers.