Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has urged Brisbane residents postpone trips to Brisbane’s Resource Recovery Centres during the coronavirus crisis, with the centres currently having longer than average queues.

“Brisbane City Council has four resource recovery centres and disposing of rubbish is an essential service, but an unnecessary trip to the tip should not be on the cards for anyone as Brisbane works to overcome the coronavirus crisis,” Cr Schrinner said.

“In March this year visits to Council’s tips were up more than 26 per cent compared to 2019, with more than 3300 visits each day, and I am concerned residents are going to the tip unnecessarily when we should all be staying home for our own health and the health of other Brisbane residents.

“The tips have noticed while commercial transactions have slightly eased there has been significant increases in residents disposing of general waste and green waste.

“Any residents going to the tip right now can expect long queues as the facilities implement extra practices, including social distancing, to ensure safe operation of these essential facilities.

“These enhanced social distancing measures mean centres are reporting wait times of 30 minutes on weekdays and weekends with people queuing in their vehicles.”

Cr Schrinner said where possible people should be safely stockpiling rubbish at home to dispose of later.

“If you’re thinking of taking a tip to the trip, I want you to seriously reconsider if this is an essential trip and if it is, expect delays, please use contactless payment where possible and respect the staff on site,” he said.

“These are only temporary measures and the tips will still be open once this crisis passes, so I’m asking residents to please show some common sense and stay away unless absolutely necessary.

“Council appreciates the community’s understanding and patience while we continue to work through this crisis together.

“The safety of Brisbane residents is our top priority and if we all exercise extra precautions right now our great city will be much better off in the long run,” Cr Schrinner said.

Council’s resource recovery centres are located at Chandler, Ferny Grove, Nudgee and Willawong and are open every day of the year from 6.30am to 5.45pm as they are a critical part of Brisbane’s waste management.

For more information visit Brisbane.qld.gov.au or call Council on 3403 8888