Rubbish dumpers in Brimbank are feeling the sting of tougher fines and surveillance cameras in rubbish dumping hotspots.
In the past nine months, Brimbank Council has sent out more than $150,000 worth of fines to individuals and businesses caught dumping rubbish in the municipality. Fines ranged from $363 to more than $5000.
Over the same period dumped rubbish collected by Brimbank Council has dropped by 20 per cent.
Changes to Environmental Protection Authority laws, starting in July 2021, resulted in these tougher fines. In some cases fines for litter dumping have more than doubled and there are harsh penalties for matters that go to court.
Council also operates several covert and overt surveillance cameras across Brimbank. Where cameras are installed and enforcement activities undertaken, there is a measurable decrease in dumping and an improvement in overall amenity in the area.
Residents who come across dumped litter can report this and anonymously report offenders. A simple way is to go online at brimbank.vic.gov.au/report-it and Council will follow up the information provided.
Residents can responsibly get rid of items they no longer want in their home by using Council's At Call Hard Waste collection service. Residents receive one 'no charge' collection each financial year. Additional bookings are available at a cost.
Electric waste like televisions, computers, hard drives, printers, faxes, clean cardboard, paint tins and all types of batteries can be dropped off at Council's Resource Recovery Centre, in Keilor Park. Go to brimbank.vic.gov.au to learn more.
Quotes to be attributed to Brimbank Mayor Cr Jasmine Nguyen:
"Litter dumpers hurt our environment and the amenity of our streets.
"Council spends approximately $1 million investigating, enforcing and cleaning up illegally dumped rubbish annually.
"It's important for the minority of people and businesses who dump rubbish to know that there are harsh penalties for those who get caught.
"There are also better and affordable ways to responsibly get rid of your unwanted goods."
