Residents using current home isolation restrictions to tidy up inside and outside their home are being reminded to be careful in how they are disposing of unwanted household items and green waste.
Residents wanting to donate any items to charity, such as unwanted clothes, toys, books and crockery, are being asked to wait until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, as some op shops are currently closed or not taking donations, and charity bins may not be emptied regularly.
City Manager Safe and Healthy Environments Caroline Grylls said there had been instances of large amounts of donated items building up at charity bins.
"Unfortunately many of these items are being left in the weather and being damaged to a point where they will likely have to be thrown out," Ms Grylls said.
"The City understands now is the perfect time to be cleaning out wardrobes and cupboards but we ask that you hold onto these items by placing them in a spare room or your garage until charities are better able to accept donated goods again and it is safe to undertake non-essential travel. Otherwise, your items may be taken to landfill and that would be a terrible waste."
Keen gardeners and people living on larger properties are also using this time to tidy up outside, however during the COVID-19 pandemic a local law permit to light a fire outside will only be given for essential clean up for fire prevention purposes.
Ms Grylls said the City encouraged residents to use their organics bin if they had one and consider mulching or stockpiling larger green waste items to dispose of at a later date.
"Green waste items can be disposed of for free at the Eaglehawk landfill or Heathcote transfer station, but we ask that residents hold off on making a trip to either of these sites until current COVID-19 travel restrictions are lifted," she said.
"For those who do need to burn off, a permit is required if your property is less than one hectare in size or if your property is greater than one hectare and the pile of wood or timber that you wish to burn is 4 metres wide, 4 metres long and 3 metres high or larger.
"Lighting a fire should be a last resort for residents at this time, particularly as the instruction is to stay home as much as possible. Smoke from fires can affect the health of people living nearby, so if you must burn off we ask that you check with your neighbours first.
"At this time it is important that we are all mindful of our behaviours around the home, from using loud machinery or mowers early in the morning through to ensuring pets are well behaved and dogs are not barking and cats are not roaming.
"As home isolation continues, we need to be even more courteous and respectful of the people around us."
