Council has fined two people $1,186 each after they dumped household items in a community centre car park.
The items were unloaded at the side of donation bins located at Arndell Community Centre car park in Truganina – behind signs that read ‘No Dumping’.
The donation bins, owned by the SCRGroup, accept clothing and textiles and small household electrical goods that are then recycled.
The bins clearly state that permitted items need to be placed inside the bins and those who dump outside the bins face prosecution.
Mayor Mia Shaw condemned the act and said it was important that people followed the directions on the donation bins.
“Those wanting to recycle through the SCRGroup donation bins need to use the bins correctly or dispose of unwanted goods through another avenue if their items are not accepted by SCRGroup or do not fit into the bins,” she said.
According to Cr Shaw, the attitude towards dumping is zero-tolerance.
“Illegal dumping has cost Wyndham City ratepayers $6.1 million over the last five years, including $1.4 million in 2024.”
“This is an unfair impost on all our residents, the majority of whom do the right thing-that money could have been spent on delivering new parks, roads or essential services.”
“We’re serious about fining people who illegally dump clothes, rubbish or waste outside bins, by the side of the road or on vacant land.
“In Wyndham we have three free hard waste collection services available to all residents every financial year. The waste collection trucks come to a resident’s house to pick up the items.”
Residents can also take a car boot load or trailer load of rubbish to the closest council tip in Werribee and use a free tip voucher once a year.
Additional tip vouchers can be allocated by swapping one or more of their hard waste collection services if residents prefer.
Cr Shaw said the dumping sting was executed after the dumpers were observed from a safe distance, photographed, had their car registration numbers recorded and turned over to council to be investigated.
She encouraged residents to help keep the area clean by reporting all suspected illegal or improper dumping.
To report: https://www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/raise-request-or-issue
