By Luke Voogt
Litterers illegally dumping items and rubbish at North Geelong Salvos Store will face legal action, council has warned.
The warning comes after Ratepayers Geelong criticised council’s “soft” approach to the dumping hotspot, which costs City Hall $40,000 a year to clean up.
“If Geelong council is spending ratepayer money repeatedly cleaning up the crime scene instead of solving the crime, it is failing the ratepayers,” Ratepayers Geelong secretary Denis O’Bryan said.
In January traders told the Indy dumping was the worst they had seen.
“Council officers had no answers then,” Mr O’Bryan said.
“Now six months later, council issues an insipid press release asking for dumping to stop because it is costing $40,000 per year to clean up.”
Mr O’Bryan urged council to instead get tough on dumping.
“Council’s approach has not worked – softly softly, compassionate, educating,” he said.
“Our laws are strong and EPA, police and council bylaws officers are available to make arrests and deliver fines.
“What has Council been doing in the criminal law area? Is it the same perpetrators or different people? How many fines issued or arrests made? ”
Mr O’Bryan suggested expensive tip fees contributed to the dumping, with council charging from $22 for a car boot of rubbish to $228 for tandem trailer.
“The problem will not go away until a proper waste management policy is developed,” he said.
“Council has reintroduced one free hard rubbish (service). It’s a start, but Ratepayers Geelong expect council to deliver a better service for dealing with waste.”
But since the council statement illegal dumping had notably reduced at the site, according to City Hall planning director Joanne Van Slageren.
“It is very encouraging that residents have taken notice of the impact of their actions,” she said.
“On the occasion that items have been left illegally, the individuals responsible have been contacted by council and have either returned to collect their items or are now facing legal action.”
Council offered a free drop off for some electrical equipment, white goods and metal items at its recycling centres, Ms Van Slageren added.
Council officers were monitoring various rubbish hotspots, including certain curbs and nature strips, she said.
“We are encouraged by the increase in compliance around this issue and we will continue to monitor the site with our enhanced-technology tools.”
Salvos Store’s Aife O’Loughlin urged people to donate items during working hours or phone 13 72 58 for home collection rather than dumping them in front of op shops.
