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Sutherland Shire Council is inviting residents to provide their feedback on the proposed delivery model for a Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) Waste Service being introduced to Sutherland Shire from late 2026.

FOGO is a new waste collection service designed to reduce landfill and transform food and garden waste into nutrient-rich compost.

Acting Mayor, Councillor Laura Cowell, said the new service will involve a simple change to how residents use their bins but will be a big step towards supporting a circular economy.

“This is about more than bins – it’s about reducing food waste and improving resource recovery to build a more sustainable future for Sutherland Shire,” Acting Mayor Cowell said.

“FOGO will be the most significant changes to household waste collection in a generation, allowing residents to place their food scraps and garden waste into the green lid bin, diverting it from landfill to create compost for use in fields, parks and farms.

“We believe we’ve identified the best way to roll out FOGO across the Sutherland Shire, but we want to hear from residents to make sure our suggested approach will work for local households.

“We want to hear from everyone – whether you compost at home, live in an apartment, or just want to do your bit for the environment.

Under the proposal, red lid bins will continue to be used for general waste will remain a weekly collection, green lid garden bins will become the green lid FOGO bin and increases to a weekly collection, and the yellow lid bin for mixed recyclables will stay the same with a fortnightly collection.

The service rollout will begin with single dwellings and expand to multi-unit dwellings in later phases.

Consultation is now open and will run until Sunday 22 September, offering residents a chance to share feedback on Council’s proposed delivery model in several ways:

• Online by taking the survey below
• In person at one of Council’s information stalls (details online)
• Email FOGOConsult@ssc.nsw.gov.au
• In writing to Recycling & Waste, Sutherland Shire Council, Locked Bag 17, Sutherland 1499.

Council will use feedback from the consultation to finalise the proposed delivery model for endorsement by Council.

For more information, visit https://jointheconversation.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/our-plan-fogo

 Thank you for your support and interest in the Woronora Hall following our recent presentation to the Council.

As requested, please find below a list of additional future uses for the hall that our association believes would enhance its value to the local community and support its long-term viability:

Proposed Future Uses for Woronora Hall

1. Community Wellness Programme

• Yoga, tai chi, meditation, and fitness classes for all age groups
• Mental health workshops and wellbeing seminars

2. Youth & Senior Engagement

• After-school programs, tutoring, and arts/crafts for youth
• Morning teas, tech help sessions, and social clubs for seniors

3. Cultural & Arts Events

• Local art exhibitions, live music, and theatre performances
• Multicultural days to celebrate the diversity of the community

4. Educational Workshops & Training

• First aid, CPR, and life-saving courses (especially relevant given the hall’s riverside location)
• Environmental awareness talks, bushfire readiness training, and sustainability initiatives

5. Local Business & Market Support

• Indoor markets for local makers and produce sellers
• Business networking events or pop-up coworking days

6. Emergency Support Hub

• Temporary community coordination point during local emergencies or floods
• Storage and staging area for emergency equipment and supplies

7. Social Events & Private Hire

• Birthday parties, weddings, and other private functions
• Trivia nights, movie nights, and community dinners

8. First Nations Education & Cultural Connection

• Indigenous talks and workshops highlighting the deep history and cultural significance of the area
• Collaboration with local Elders and First Nations groups to acknowledge and share stories connected to the land, including the Middens and riverbank
• Recognition of nearby sites such as Burnum Burnum Sanctuary (named in honour of my late husband), and the planned naming of a parcel of land for Elder Uncle Max Harrison, to acknowledge enduring Indigenous presence and wisdom
• Acknowledgement of Norm Dixon Reserve, named in honour of my father, as another example of meaningful community contribution and connection to place
• Space for ongoing cultural learning, storytelling, and reconciliation activities

9. Royal National Park & Local Heritage Resource Centre

• When open, the hall could serve as a satellite information centre for the Royal National Park
• Display of pamphlets, local bushwalking maps, Indigenous and settler history, and ecological information
• Promotion of safe and respectful engagement with local trails, waterways, and historic sites

          Native Plant Education & Environmental Connection

• Bush flower identification walks to explore native flora in its natural environment, with discussion of healing properties and traditional uses
• Workshops on plant identification, bush tucker education, and seasonal native flower displays
• Indigenous-led sessions sharing stories and Dreaming associated with local plants
• Tree and native flower planting events to promote biodiversity, attract pollinators, and support climate resilience
• Community Planting Days to encourage hands-on involvement in revegetation and habitat restoration
• Partnership with the nearby Council nursery to encourage community access to native plants and ecofriendly gardening and courses.

We’re happy to elaborate further or provide supporting documents if needed. Thank you again for your support of Woronora Hall and its future in the community.

Warm regards,

Marelle Burnum Burnum [secretary]

Robyn Galvin [president ]

Woronora Valley Residents Association Inc.