Watkins Road Transfer Station reopening 

The Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale has endorsed a new plan for the Watkins Road Waste Transfer Station.  

In brief 

The Watkins Road Waste Transfer Station is set to reopen by the end of the year, following a decision made by Council at the March 2026 Ordinary Council Meeting.  This date is subject to regulatory approvals, and updates will be provided on an ongoing basis. 

The transfer station will be available for residents to bring their green waste, bulk waste, and scrap metals.

An operating model is being finalised and will be presented to Council in the coming months. This will outline operating days and times, and a tip pass system.

Bookable hard waste and scheduled green waste collections will remain in place, to provide a comprehensive waste management service to residents and ratepayers.

The Shire will continue to plan for a future waste transfer station at West Mundijong Industrial Estate, which will enable it to meet the needs of its growing community.

What's happening now? 

Council has made two key decisions regarding the Watkins Road Waste Transfer Station:

  1. The contaminated portion of the site, where asbestos was found in 2023, will be capped and returned to nature. This is because this area cannot safely support waste operations.
  2. The rest of the site will be redeveloped. When reopened, it will be available for residents to bring their green waste, bulk waste and scrap metals.

These decisions allow the site to reopen, reduce long-term environmental risks, and save costs for ratepayers.

The Shire’s bookable hard waste and scheduled verge side green waste collections will continue. 

What services will be available when the waste transfer station reopens? 

In February 2025, Council resolved to reopen the Watkins Road Waste Transfer Station, with the below services available.

The proposed operating model for the reopened waste transfer station will be taken to Council for decision, later in 2026, prior to reopening.

Items accepted at the redeveloped Waste Transfer Station Items not accepted at the redeveloped Waste Transfer Station but accepted through bookable verge collections Items that can be dropped off to the Armadale Landfill and Recycling Facility
  • Green waste
  • Metals, excluding whitegoods (Unlimited)
  • Household bulk waste including:
    • Furniture 
    • Bicycles 
    • Toys 
    • Wooden items (not garden waste)
    • Wire
    • Gates 
    • Non-electrical household appliances 
  • Mattresses 
  • White goods
  • E-waste
  • Cardboard 

  • Batteries (free)

  • Household hazardous waste including paint and chemicals (free)

  • Cardboard (free)

  • Waste including paint

  • Gas bottles (charges may apply)

  • Tyres (charges may apply)

Following the reopening of the Watkins Road site, items such as batteries can still be dropped off to the City of Armadale Landfill and Recycling Facility free of charge. Mattresses and white goods can be collected through the Shire's bookable hard waste collections, and green waste verge collections will operate as they have done previously.

When will the transfer station reopen?

Subject to Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) approvals, construction is planned during 2026, with reopening targeted for late 2026 - also subject to regulatory approvals. Updates will be provided on an ongoing basis. 

Is Watkins Road the Shire’s long-term waste solution?

No. Watkins Road is an interim facility. Council has endorsed the West Mundijong Industrial Area as the preferred location for a modern, long-term:

  • Waste Transfer Station
  • Operations Centre
  • Animal Management Facility

Planning for this future facility is now underway.

Why is this the best option for the community?

The plan for the reopening of the Watkins Road Waste Transfer Station is the best option currently available to the community as it:

  • Safely manages contamination
  • Is cost saving for ratepayers
  • Allows the site to reopen sooner
  • Provides the most commonly used services
  • Avoids investing in infrastructure that cannot meet long-term needs
  • Supports the Shire’s long-term waste strategy at West Mundijong

What happens next?

Construction and redevelopment – Work will begin on redeveloping the southern portion of the site, including the new gatehouse, improved traffic flow, undercover green waste drop-off, and dedicated areas for bulk waste and metals.

Capping and rehabilitation of the northern area – The contaminated portion will be capped with engineered layers of soil and material, fenced off, and returned to a natural state.

Regulatory approvals – The Shire is working with DWER to ensure all approvals are in place before the site reopens.

Site reopening – Subject to approvals, the transfer station is targeted to reopen in late 2026, offering green waste, bulk waste, and scrap metal services.

Ongoing planning for West Mundijong – The Shire will continue planning for the new long-term waste facility at West Mundijong, which will provide a modern solution for the community’s future waste needs.

Meanwhile, the Shire will continue to operate verge collections – with green waste collections scheduled for all suburbs from April. Check this page for more information: Green Waste Verge Collections » Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale