Last winter strong winds blew polystyrene waffle pods used in housing construction across new estates in West Dapto and into local dams and waterways.
Over the past 12 months, Council has advocated for new protocols and practices for builders using the materials, and carried out an on-the-ground education program with members of our regulation and enforcement teams.
This included Council staff visiting new housing areas in West Dapto earlier this month to ensure best practice was being followed in terms of tie-downs, and waffle pod storage.
“We all remember the images from last July of pods strewn across West Dapto’s green fields, dams and creeks. It was an environmental nightmare and the clean-up involved Council staff, contractors and dedicated volunteers,” Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM.
“I’m pleased to say that Council has taken a proactive approach to managing this issue and, as we moved towards the traditional windy months of August and September this year, staff were out working with builders in the community to ensure we didn’t have a repeat experience. The real test has been this week’s winds and it has gone smoothly to date.
“This is a positive outcome to a particularly challenging situation last year.”
Cr Bradbery said Council also worked behind the scenes to advocate for changes to the waffle pod industry’s code of practice, which puts the accountability back onto the suppliers, builders and developers.
“While the situation itself was a significant problem our Council has stepped up and sought a solution on behalf of their community,” Cr Bradbery said.
“The fact the code of practice for the industry has been updated is reflective of Council’s advocacy and a real win for our community.
