Two long-time Little River residents want tougher action on illegal dumping after their car hit a discarded office chair as they drove home at night.
Philomena and Rob Burns say they were travelling at 100km/h along Bulban Road on June 27 when their car struck the abandoned chair. “I hit the brakes, but I still hit it and we carried it about 50 metres up the road,” Mr Burns said.
Mr Burns says it will cost hundreds of dollars to fix his car. The couple, who have lived in the area for more than 20 years, are concerned at the amount of rubbish, including furniture, being dumped on local roads, particularly along Bulban, Edgars, Kirk Bridge and Turners roads.
“Quite often, you’ll see tip-truck loads. They’ll just back up, tip it on the road and drive off.”
Mr Burns said the council was quick to respond to complaints, but he wants fines doubled to deter offenders.
Wyndham’s illegal dumpers were put on notice in June after fines totalling $3730 were issued in three separate cases at Werribee Magistrates Court. The three cases involved illegal dumping on private property at Werribee South, in a Werribee park and at a Hoppers Crossing shopping centre.
Since January 1, Wyndham council has received 997 complaints about litter and dumped rubbish. From July 1, anyone caught dumping can expect to be fined up to $303 or summonsed to court, which could cost up to $6066.
