Millions spent on dumped rubbish

Wyndham council received 2208 complaints about litter, including illegal rubbish dumping and waste left in parks, in the past financial year.
City operations director Stephen Thorpe said the council spent around $2 million to remove approximately 1.79 million kilograms of litter every year.
He said the council’s Waste and Litter Strategy for 2016-2040 included “strong targets” for Wyndham, including an end to illegal rubbish dumping by the plan’s final year.
The strategy also calls for Wyndham’s waterways and beaches to be litter-free by 2040.
Mr Thorpe said there was a concerted push for people to take responsibility for keeping Wyndham clean.
He said the council will roll out the recently developed ‘Keep Wyndham Clean’ campaign, which will include signs being placed on bins, buses and on the sides of local roads.
“This will work in conjunction with our Litter Busters and award-winning Dumping is Damaging campaigns,” he said.
In August last year, the council successfully prosecuted a Hoppers Crossing business which dumped used tyres on vacant land in Point Cook.
The Magistrates Court of Victoria fined the business a total of $5450. Within the same month, two residents who dumped rubbish in a Werribee laneway were fined $225 each.
The Werribee River Association has also conducted a study which investigated the types of rubbish found in new housing developments.
The study found that rubbish from building sites and tradespeople would make way for packaging, wrappers and takeaway food debris.
Association member John Marks said rubbish was a “whole of community” responsibility.
“People need to personally take responsibility, for their own rubbish and rubbish in their street,” he said. “Alternatively, people who throw it there could just pick it up.”
Residents who see dumped rubbish in public places or littering incidents can contact Wyndham council on 9742 0777 or visit www. wyndham.vic.gov.au to make a report.