With the festive season just around the corner, we want to make sure our community and staff can enjoy precious time with loved ones. As a result, Council's operating hours will change slightly over the holiday period.
Due to a staff function, Council's Customer Service, offices, depot, libraries, and waste services will close from 12:00pm on Thursday 11 December. Council will reopen as normal on Friday 12 December.
To help you plan ahead, here are Council's operating hours over the Christmas and New Year period:
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Closed from 12:00pm on Friday 19 December 2025 and reopening as normal on Monday 5 January 2026.
As all Customer Service staff will be on leave, requests received during the closure will not be processed until staff return on Monday 5 January 2026.
During the closure, calls will be diverted to the afterhours service. Please only call for urgent emergencies such as damage to Council infrastructure like bridges, roads and water main breaks or impact public health and safety.
WASTE SERVICES
Will my bin still be collected as normal?
Yes, please put your bins out on your regular bin night for collection.
Are there extra waste services?
Put your yellow bin out for collection both weeks between Monday 22 December 2025 and Friday 2 January 2026 on your usual bin day.
Remember that food scraps should go in the green bin, while everything you can recycle should be in the yellow bin.
For a full list of what goes where head to Waste
For kerbside bin enquires including missed collections, please call the Waste Hotline on 1300 342 207.
Waste Management Centre
The Waste Management Centre on Crescent Head Road will be closed on Christmas Day, but will otherwise operate its usual hours:
- Monday to Friday 7:00am to 4.30pm
- Saturday and Sunday 9:00am to 4:00pm
Bellbrook Waste Transfer Station
The Bellbrook Waste Transfer Station on Armidale Road will be closed on public holidays but will otherwise operate its usual trading hours:
- Wednesday 9:00am to 3:00pm
- Sunday 9:00am to 3:00pm
- Closed from 12:00pm to 1:00pm for lunch
- Closed on public holidays
South West Rocks Waste Transfer Station
The South West Rocks Waste Transfer Station on Arakoon Road will be closed on public holidays, but will otherwise operate its usual trading hours:
- Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:00am to 12:00 noon and 1:00pm to 3:30pm
- Saturday 12:15 pm to 3:15pm
- Closed on public holidays
Stuarts Point Waste Transfer Station
The Stuarts Point Waste Transfer Station on Fishermans Reach Road will be closed on public holidays, but will otherwise operate its usual trading hours:
- Wednesday 8:00am to 12:00 noon and 1:00pm to 3:30pm
- Saturday 8:00am to 11:00am
- Closed on public holidays
LIBRARIES
Kempsey Library will be closed from 12:00noon on Friday 19 December 2025 and reopening as normal on Monday 5 January 2026.
South West Rocks Library will be closed from 5:00pm on Thursday 18 December 2025 and will reopen at 10:00am on Tuesday 6 January 2026.
South West Rocks Library's chute will be closed during this time. Please hold onto your returns until the library reopens on Tuesday 6 January 2026.
Stuarts Point Library will be closed from 5:00pm on Thursday 18 December 2025 and will reopen at 10:00am on Tuesday 6 January 2026.
Don't forget our eResources are available 24/7, including eAudiobooks and eBooks. Learn more at library.kempsey.nsw.gov.au/Borrow/eLibrary
COUNCIL OFFICES & DEPOT
Closed from 12:00pm on Friday 19 December 2025 and reopening as normal on Monday 5 January 2026.
SLIM DUSTY CENTRE
- Friday 19 December 2025 – OPEN 10am - 3pm
- Saturday 20 December 2025 – OPEN 10am – 2pm
- Sunday 21 December 2025 – CLOSED
- Monday 22 December 2025 – OPEN 10am – 3pm
- Tuesday 23 December 2025 – OPEN 10am – 3pm
- Wednesday 24 December 2025 to Thursday 1 January 2026 – CLOSED
- Friday 2 January 2026 – OPEN 10am - 3pm
- Saturday 3 January 2026 – OPEN 10am – 2pm
- Sunday 4 January 2026 – CLOSED
The centre will return to its regular schedule from Monday 5 January 2026:
- Monday to Friday - 10am - 3pm
- Saturday - 10am - 2pm
- Sundays and all NSW Public Holidays - CLOSED
From the entire team at Kempsey Shire Council, we wish you and your loved ones a happy and safe festive season!
