Wollongong Council Permits for Skip Bins: Do You Need One?

Let's clear up the biggest source of confusion about skip bin hire in Wollongong: council permits. You've probably heard conflicting information. Your mate says you need one. Your neighbour reckons you don't. The skip bin company website mentions permits but doesn't say when. The answer is actually straightforward, and it comes down to one simple question: where will your bin sit? Get this right and you'll avoid permits, fees, and delays altogether.



The Simple Answer: Private Property vs Public Land

The permit requirement comes down to one question: where will your skip bin sit?

You do NOT need a council permit if your skip bin is placed on private property. This includes your driveway, front lawn, backyard, or anywhere else that's entirely within your property boundaries. Private property placement is the simplest and most cost-effective option. No paperwork, no fees, no waiting for approval.

You DO need a council permit if your skip bin will be placed on public land. This includes the road or street in front of your house, the footpath, the nature strip, or any other council-controlled area. These locations require official approval from Wollongong City Council before your skip bin can be delivered.



One common source of confusion is the driveway crossover. This is the section connecting your driveway to the road, and it often sits on public land even though it feels like part of your property. If your skip bin will rest on or near this crossover area, check with Council or your skip bin provider about whether a permit is needed.

When You Must Get a Permit in Wollongong

Most Wollongong residents can avoid permits by placing skip bins on their driveways or lawns. However, several situations make public land placement necessary.

When arranging skip bin hire in Wollongong, you'll need a permit if you have no driveway access, if your driveway is blocked by vehicles that can't be moved, or if your renovation or project requires the bin positioned closer to the work site on the street.

Limited space on private property, shared driveways in strata complexes, or construction work blocking private access all require public land placement.

Even if you have a driveway, your bin might still end up on public land if trucks can't safely access your property due to overhead powerlines, narrow access, or steep driveways. In these cases, the street becomes the only viable option.

What is a Skip Bin Permit?

A skip bin permit is official approval from Wollongong City Council allowing you to temporarily place a skip bin on public land. The permit regulates where your bin can go, how long it can stay there, and what safety requirements must be met.



In Wollongong, skip bin permits fall under Section 138 of the Roads Act 1993, which covers "Works in Road Reserve". This is the same category used for driveway construction, utility work, and other activities affecting public roads and footpaths. The permit system exists to maintain public safety, ensure pedestrian and vehicle access, and prevent bins from creating hazards or obstructions.

How to Apply for a Wollongong Council Skip Bin Permit

Applying for a skip bin permit in Wollongong is done online through the Council's system. Here's the step-by-step process.

First, register on Wollongong City Council's Online Services system. Select "Lodge an Application" then choose "Permits & Licences". You'll need to apply for "Works in Road Reserve" under Section 138. Within this category, select "Category A" which lists "Skip Bin" as point 7 on the list.

You'll need to provide specific information including your property address, the exact location where the bin will be placed, the skip bin size and dimensions, how long you need the bin on public land, and your skip bin provider's details. After completing the application, you'll pay the required fee and wait for Council approval.

Processing times typically take 2-3 business days minimum. Don't leave your application to the last minute, as rushing the process can cause delays or result in your permit being denied. Some situations may require longer processing times, particularly if your proposed placement location has complications or requires additional safety measures.

Skip Bin Placement Rules on Public Land

The Wollongong Council has strict safety requirements for skip bins placed on public land. These rules protect pedestrians, motorists, and property.



Safety and Clearance Requirements

Your skip bin must not block pedestrian access. Footpaths require a minimum clearance of 1.5 metres for people to pass safely. The bin must also maintain a 3-metre wide passageway on the roadway so vehicles can pass. This might mean you need a smaller bin than planned or that placement isn't possible at all in narrow streets.



Prohibited Locations

Skip bins cannot be placed near intersections, bus stops, fire hydrants, or stormwater drains. They cannot block driveways, whether yours or your neighbours'. The bin must not obstruct access to utility services like water, gas, or electricity infrastructure.



Visibility and Positioning Rules

For visibility and safety, skip bins on public land require reflective markings. In poorly lit areas without street lighting, you may also need to install temporary lighting on the bin to make it visible to traffic at night.

Your skip bin must be positioned directly in front of your property and cannot extend beyond your property frontage unless you have written consent from adjacent property owners. The bin should take up no more than one parking space and must comply with all Australian Road Rules as if it were a parked vehicle.

Permit Costs and Duration

Permit fees for skip bins in Wollongong vary depending on the duration and location of placement. For current fee information, contact Wollongong City Council directly on 02 4227 7111 or check their fees and charges schedule on the Council website.

Typical permit durations range from 3 to 14 days. If your project runs longer than expected and you need to keep the bin on public land beyond your permit period, you'll need to apply for an extension. Extensions require submitting a new application before your current permit expires and paying additional fees. Plan ahead if you think you'll need extra time, as councils won't look favourably on bins left on public land after permits expire.

Who Arranges the Permit?

Legally, obtaining a skip bin permit is the responsibility of the person hiring the bin. The permit must be in place before the bin is delivered to your property. You should keep your permit documentation accessible during the entire hire period, as Council officers or police may request to see it.

Some skip bin companies offer to help with permit applications as a customer service, but this varies between providers. At Bin Master Skip Bins Wollongong, we can give you some advice regarding the permit process and help you determine the best placement options for your situation. However, the ultimate responsibility for ensuring a valid permit is in place rests with you as the hirer.



We strongly recommend starting the permit application process as soon as you know you'll need public land placement. Don't wait until the day before your planned delivery date.

Penalties for Not Having a Permit

Placing a skip bin on public land without a valid permit is illegal and carries real consequences. Wollongong Council can order immediate removal of your bin at your expense. This leaves you without waste disposal right when you need it most and you'll still be charged for the delivery and pickup.

Fines apply for illegal placement on public land. Beyond financial penalties, you could be held liable for any accidents or injuries that occur because of your improperly placed skip bin. If someone trips over your bin on a footpath or a vehicle is damaged because your bin created a hazard, you face potential legal action.



The hassle and expense of dealing with these consequences far outweigh the time and cost of obtaining a proper permit. If you need public land placement, get the permit.

How to Avoid Needing a Permit

The best permit is no permit. Most Wollongong residents can place skip bins on private property with some planning.



Plan Your Private Property Placement

Always try private property placement first. Clear your driveway before delivery day, even if it means temporarily parking cars on the street. Consider whether a smaller skip bin size would fit more easily on your property. Coordinate with your household to keep driveway access clear during the hire period.



Alternative Placement Options

If your driveway won't work, look at other private property options. Can the bin go on your front lawn? Check if the ground is firm enough and if truck access is possible. Some residents successfully place bins in backyards when side access allows truck entry. This keeps bins completely off public land.



Getting Permission from Others

You might arrange with neighbours to use their driveway if they have better space or access. Make sure you get proper permission in writing if using someone else's property. In strata properties, check your strata bylaws first, as placing bins on common property may require strata approval even if it's technically private land.



Special Circumstances

Strata Properties

Strata properties have additional complications. Common property areas like visitor parking or shared driveways might be considered private land but still require approval from your strata committee. Check your strata bylaws before booking. Some strata complexes have specific rules about skip bin placement that are stricter than Council requirements.



Commercial Properties

Commercial properties follow the same basic rules as residential properties. Private property placement doesn't need permits, while public land does. However, commercial locations often have additional considerations. Loading zones, busy streets with heavy traffic, or placement near business frontages may face stricter requirements or longer approval times.



Avoid the Permit Trap

Here's what we see constantly: someone books a skip bin, assumes the street is fine, and only discovers they need a permit when the truck arrives. The bin can't be delivered without Council approval. The project stalls. The whole thing becomes a mess.

Don't be that person. Before you book, decide where your bin will actually go. Nine times out of ten, Wollongong properties have space on private land if you plan it properly. Clear your driveway, move some cars, or use your front lawn. No permit needed.

If you genuinely need public land, get your permit application in immediately. Council takes 2-3 business days minimum, and that's before your bin even gets ordered.

Bin Master Skip Bins Wollongong helps customers avoid these problems. We ask about placement when you book, suggest solutions if your first choice won't work, and deliver skips with sizes ranging anywhere from 2 to 25 cubic metres across Wollongong and the Illawarra with same-day service.

Talk to us about placement before you commit. We'll tell you straight whether your plan will work or what needs to change. Skip bin hire should be simple. Let’s keep it that way.