Dumping hotspots will have surveillance cameras installed if Whittlesea council’s recently appointed litter prevention officer has his way.
The council received $200,000 from the state government last October to clean up rubbish from creeks and rivers in the municipality.
Russell Gladigau was appointed to the new role of litter prevention officer four months ago and has since inspected more than 500 locations where rubbish has been illegally dumped.
He said, in that short space of time, about 150 people had been contacted and issued with fines, notices or removal directions.
“We are looking to purchase surveillance cameras to monitor hotspots and this will
aid in catching the people responsible,” he said.
Whittlesea councillor and former mayor Mary Lalios said the council had several important waterways that feed directly into Port Phillip Bay, including Edgars Creek, Merri and Darebin creeks and the Plenty River, a tributary of the Yarra River.
“So we need to do our bit to ensure these areas don’t impact our neighbouring municipalities,” Cr Lalios said.
The state government funding was designed to clean up sites, raise awareness and install preventive equipment, and employ the litter prevention officer to target litter and
rubbish impacting stormwater and local waterways.
Mr Gladigau urged residents to report discarded rubbish to the council for further investigation.
Information the council requires includes street names, the types of materials being dumped, names and addresses of those responsible (if possible), vehicle registrations and photographs.
The illegal dumping of contaminated fill material, tyres, manufacturing, construction and demolition waste is an indictable offence.
If you have information on illegal dumping, call 92172170.
Information about how to dispose of your waste can be found online at www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au
