Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) is urging residents not to dispose of batteries and embedded battery devices in their bins after waste in a garbage truck again caught on fire on Friday 16 October.
The garbage truck was undertaking the domestic kerbside collection run along Dalton Street in South Dubbo, when the driver noticed smoke coming from the garbage truck's load around 11am.
The driver promptly emptied the load onto the road, and emergency services were called with NSW Fire and Rescue attending to extinguish the fire.
The load of garbage that was emptied onto the road was cleared away once the fire was extinguished.
Director Development and Environment Steven Jennings said it is believed that batteries once again caused the fire.
"Garbage trucks are high-valued assets, not just in the cost to replace them but the service they provide to our community. We've had several similar incidents happen in the past year, so people aren't getting the message.
"Once again the quick action of the driver has ensured the garbage truck was not damaged however an extensive clean-up in Dalton Street had to be undertaken," Mr Jennings said.
Hazardous and prohibited items that cannot be placed in bins include lithium-ion batteries, rechargeable batteries, embedded battery devices, flammable liquids such as petrol, paint thinners and gas cylinders that are either full or empty.
"Council has a free recycling program for embedded battery devices and household batteries at Whylandra Waste and Recycling Facility or the Wellington Transfer Station.
"Household batteries can also be dropped off at the Customer Experience Centres at Dubbo and Wellington and the Dubbo Library in the designated stations so that outcomes like this can be avoided," Mr Jennings said.
Similar incidents occurred on Lonsdale Road, Minore in July 2026 and in Dubbo in August 2025. On both occasions the load was emptied onto the road and emergency services were called.
For more information about the Community Recycling Centre visit www.dubbo.nsw.gov.au.
