By Jaidyn Kennedy
A local man is calling on the community to stop illegally dumping waste on the outskirts of Wyndham.
According to Manor Lakes resident Greg Byrne, the issue is most prevalent in Wyndham Vale and Manor Lakes.
“It’s happening everywhere, and Ballan Road is probably the most notable stretch, but it’s going on all the time in the new housing estates,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter where you go, you’ll see heaps of stuff piled on the side of the road and it’s not just trailer loads.”
“I’ve seen dirty baby diapers on piles of rubbish, nothing is ever out of bounds.”
Apparently, the situation has deteriorated in the last five years.
“You drive up Ballan Road, and it’s like you are living in a third world country–it has been getting worse for years,” Mr Byrne said.
He said while the council does make an effort to tackle the issue it’s “just about impossible for them to do everything.”
“Even if they did get it all, it would be good for two weeks and then it would be as bad as it was before.”
He said overreliance on the Werribee Tip, the price it costs to legally dispose of waste, wasn’t helping the situation.
“When I came to Werribee in the 1970s, it cost me two dollars to dump a six foot by four foot trailer, and now it’s worth over $200.”
He said if the state government eased the waste levy on council, a fee imposed on rubbish that will go to landfills, it may encourage would-be dumpers to dispose of their rubbish legally.
A Victorian Government Spokesperson said they have delegated more powers to the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to fine people illegally dumping.
“Illegal dumping has an impact on local communities and environment and that’s why we have given the EPA greater powers to crack down on illegal dumping, including tougher penalties for repeat offenders,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson also said they have mandated four-bin system, which includes a bin glass recycling, the container deposit scheme and various education programs are also used to tackle the issue.
Star Weekly can confirm council has been fining individuals and businesses in relation to illegal dumping and that they have several educational programs to encourage correct waste disposal.
