Wyndham City continues to tackle dumped rubbish with a range of efforts including education, clean ups and enforcement action.
The focus is on encouraging residents to use the City’s free hard waste collection instead of risking a fine for illegal dumping, as well as encouraging residents to report those who are spotted dumping.
Wyndham City Mayor, Cr Mia Shaw said this educational push was supported by the installation of informative signs, which are being placed in high traffic areas and dumping hot spots.
“Each year Wyndham City spends around two million dollars and countless hours collecting rubbish that has been illegally dumped – this is an unfair impost on all our residents, the majority of whom do the right thing,” she said.
“Illegal dumping is an eyesore. It is also an unnecessary cost to all ratepayers.”
There is no excuse to dump in Wyndham when we offer three free hard waste collections each financial year.”
“A car boot or trailer load of rubbish can also be taken to the tip for free by swapping their free hard waste home collection for a waste disposal voucher.”
“We are continually raising awareness about these opportunities! This year we’re making the most of our community centres to share this message with onsite promotions and conversations with groups using the centres.”
“We’re also working with our businesses too, speaking to our real estate agents to spread the word to those moving into or out of the area and providing them with a digital booklet to give to renters. The booklet outlines the range of appropriate ways to dispose of waste and are translated into six languages.”
“We are continuing our enforcement of trolley dumping, a program that commenced last financial year.”
“Council officers monitored hot spots where trolleys were dumped. These dumped trolleys were reported to retailers, if retailers did not retrieve the trolleys within three days of reporting, they received a fine of $395 as outlined in Wyndham’s Community Amenity Local Law 2023.”
“Over 12-months, Wyndham City issued 263 infringements to retailers which resulted in $103,885 in fines.”
“We are also continuing our Litter Blitzes, with blitzes being held at least four times a year in areas of Wyndham where dumping is high – this is often in our new estates in Tarneit, Wyndham Vale, Williams Landing and Truganina in reserves and vacant land.”
“Our teams from across council including Waste Services and Education, Cleansing, Local Laws, Parking Infringement and Emergency Management usually pick up four truck loads of dumped rubbish during each blitz. They also speak with residents, providing information and advice on a range of local issues, including:
- Bin management issues such as overflowing bins
- Unsightly properties or overgrown nature strips
- Obstructions on council land
- Abandoned, unregistered or incorrectly parked vehicles
“As a Council we’re doing our bit and we are encouraging the Wyndham community to join us in Keeping Wyndham Clean.”