Litterbugs, watch out, Whittlesea council is installing cameras at rubbish dumping hotspots across the city.
The council has joined forces with the state government to tackle Whittlesea’s problem, with illegally dumping costing ratepayers $1.6 million to clean up last year.
The cameras and warning signs have been installed as part of the government’s Litter Hotspot program.
The program encourages community action to tackle litter in local areas, preventing it from polluting waterways and helping to create a cleaner, safer and more appealing environment overall.
A spokesman said the council had struggled to keep on top of dumping issues, particularly at the sparsely populated locations of O’Herns, Epping and Bindts roads in Wollert.
Each year, an average of 4700 tonnes of rubbish is dumped around the city, contaminating the surrounding environment and potentially maiming local flora and fauna.
The council began installing the cameras last year and will roll them out to more locations this year.
“Since adopting the program, there have been a significant reduction in the number of illegal dumping incidents in the community,” the council spokesman said.
“While fines have been issued to those caught illegally dumping, the ultimate aim is to educate the community and prevent these issues from occurring.”
Whittlesea residents can dispose of their rubbish through the council’s waste and recycling collections, and by using vouchers to access Hanson’s landfill at Wollert.
There are also recycling hubs at Mernda, Epping and South Morang.
A mobile pop-up transfer station, which will be travelling throughout the municipality to collect recyclables, is scheduled to be launched this year.
