WYNDHAM Council has warned it will not tolerate people illegally dumping rubbish.
It comes after it initiated proceedings which led to the successful prosecution of a resident for illegal littering.
Naga Lavu, of Tarneit, faced Werribee Magistrates Court earlier this month, charged with dumping a bootload of domestic litter on a nature strip in Pistachia Drive, Tarneit.
It is the third successful prosecution in recent months to be brought against a resident for dumping waste illegally.
Mr Lavu, who pleaded guilty, was fined $250 and ordered to pay costs of $155.
As reported in the Weekly in April, a Point Cook resident was fined $150 and ordered to pay $445 for dumping rubbish at a Point Cook park.
Another Tarneit resident was fined $150 and ordered to pay costs of $155 for leaving rubbish on a nature strip.
Cr John Menegazzo said the prosecutions sent a strong message to those who thought it was acceptable to dump litter on streets, vacant land, nature strips and parks.
“Not only does illegal dumping cost the community financially, with an estimated $1million spent by Wyndham City on cleaning up litter, there are also environmental costs, with litter damaging flora and fauna in our grasslands, reserves and waterways.”
The council launched a ‘Dumping is Damaging’ campaign late last year, urging residents to report the illegal activity.
Werribee resident Ray King called on others to dob in those who got rid of their waste inappropriately.
“The majority of people in my street are very house proud and spend a lot of time making their homes and gardens look nice.”
Cr Menegazzo said calls to report litter had risen from 651 in 2009-10 to 881 during the council campaign.
To report illegal dumping, phone: 97420777.
-Laura Little
