Crews from the NSW RFS attended a fire at the Boorowa Waste Facility on Saturday, August 2, following reports of a fire that had sparked.
Once extinguished, Hilltops Council crews were left to monitor the site should any flare-up occur.
The waste facility opened at 1pm that same day after being deemed safe to access for the public by both NSW Fire and Rescue and NSW Rural Fire Service.
The fire, although smaller, follows a fire that sparked on 9 January, 2026 at the Monteagle Waste Facility, prompting Hilltops Council to remind the public of the importance of disposing of batteries properly.
“Council reminds residents of the importance of correctly disposing household batteries, warning that incorrect disposal is highly dangerous and can lead to fires, serious injuries and environmental harm,” they said following the brief closure in January.
“Batteries – especially lithium-ion batteries found in mobile phones, laptops, power tools, e-bikes, vapes and children’s toys – are a growing safety risk when placed in household rubbish or recycling bins. When damaged or compacted in waste trucks or processing facilities, these batteries can ignite and cause serious fires.
“Residents are reminded that batteries should never be placed in red (general waste), yellow (recycling) or green (garden organics) bins.
“Instead, used batteries should be recycled through approved programs such as B-cycle, which offers dedicated points.”
Although it is currently unknown what started the Boorowa Waste Facility fire, the following advice stands for the proper way to recycle batteries.
Before disposal, residents are encouraged to:
• Tape over battery terminals (particularly lithium-ion and 9-volt batteries)
• Store used batteries in a cool, dry place away from flammable materials
• Never crush, puncture or damage batteries
• Take batteries to an approved battery drop-off point or HCC event as soon as possible
• “Council also reminds residents that incidents such as this place a significant financial burden on Council and the wider community,” they said of the January fire.
“Fires caused by incorrectly disposed batteries can result in damage to waste infrastructure, unplanned site closures, clean-up and remediation costs, and the deployment of emergency services and Council staff.
“These costs are not covered by waste fees alone and ultimately fall to local ratepayers. Correct battery disposal helps protect community safety and reduces unnecessary costs to Council and residents.”
All waste facility services across the Hilltops region are functioning as normal now.
Elizabeth Kovacs
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