By Luke Voogt
Illegal dumping has increased significantly across Geelong with council investigating a security camera crackdown on litterers.
Recent hotspots for illegal dumping include Point Henry and outside Salvation Army stores in North Geelong and Drysdale.
Council’s waste management chair Ron Nelson slammed the behaviour and said council was investigating CCTV for hotspots in its campaign against dumping.
“With so many legal avenues on offer to dispose of rubbish responsibly, there’s never an excuse to dump waste,” Cr Nelson said.
City Hall has recorded a “significant increase” in reports of illegal dumping across Geelong.
These include complaints of litterers dumping rubbish such as car parts, mattresses, building rubble and household items at car parks, nature reserves, paddocks and vacant blocks.
Collecting dumped rubbish costs ratepayers about $800,000 each year, according to City Hall.
Cr Nelson warned that litterers, including people leaving items outside op shops when they closed, faced $332 on-the-spot fines and could face further fines of up to $9900 in court.
He urged locals to report dumping or dumped rubbish by visiting www.geelongaustralia.com.au/litter or phoning 5272 5272.
He also encouraged residents to use council’s various waste disposal services.
“Organise for your larger rubbish to be picked up free through the hard-rubbish collection service or take it to one of our handy resource recovery centres.”
Meanwhile, the clean-up of an illegal waste pile at Broderick Road, Lara, reached its final stage this week, according to Environment Protection Authority Victoria.
Acting mayor and Windermere ward councillor Kylie Grzybek welcomed the development.
“Although the process has been long and complex, it’s positive to see progress being made,” the Lara local said.
“As this phase of the clean-up continues, we’ll see the waste pile begin to noticeably reduce.”
