Every year, as cyclone season approaches, residents of Darwin brace themselves for the severe weather that tests our resilience and community spirit. Central to our preparation is the vital pre-cyclone clean-up run by the City of Darwin. This essential service involves the collection of large outdoor items and debris that, without intervention, could become deadly missiles during high winds.

For many, particularly our older residents, individuals with disabilities, and households without vehicles or access to waste disposal facilities, this clean-up is not just convenient … it’s crucial, however, a recent council decision will leave our streets and verges cluttered with potential hazards, increasing risk to life, property, and the emergency services tasked with keeping us safe.

This decision not only endangers people and homes, it also disproportionately impacts some of our community’s most vulnerable members. Seniors, who often struggle to remove or transport large items, rely heavily on this council service. Similarly, those without vehicles have no means to safely dispose of large debris. Without this support, they face the cyclone season with unnecessary dread and exposure to danger.

To protect our residents and maintain the safety and integrity of our communities, it is imperative that we advocate for the restoration of the pre-cyclone clean-up for 2026. Reinstating this service will reduce risks, ensure faster response times for emergency services during cyclones, and uphold our moral obligation to support and protect our elderly and vulnerable neighbours.

Please sign this petition to urge the City of Darwin to restore the pre-cyclone clean-up for 2026 and ensure that every resident is afforded the safety and dignity they need and deserve during cyclone season.