By Alesha Capone
Wyndham council has appealed for residents living near a rubbish dumping hotspot in Tarneit to report anyone illegally leaving waste at the site.
In January last year, a man, who asked to remain anonymous, living near a block of vacant land in Butterfly Boulevard contacted Star Weekly about the “appalling” waste dumping taking place in the street, including on the nature strip.
Residents again contacted Star Weekly in recent weeks, saying the rubbish dumping was still occurring, with discarded mattresses, furniture, clothing, tyres, tree branches, bottles and other household goods strewn across vacant land.
Wyndham council’s city operations director, Stephen Thorpe, said: “Council is aware of the dumping of rubbish in Butterfly Boulevard in Tarneit and has been to the site 18 times since January 2019.
“Council collected rubbish that was on public land and engaged with landowners to remind them of their responsibility to dispose of rubbish on their vacant land.
“Rubbish dumped on private land is the responsibility of the landowner, and they are required to remove rubbish from their property or face council clean up orders and infringements.
“We have asked several landowners of the vacant blocks on Butterfly Boulevard to remove the rubbish.
“Some have complied and the remaining will be cleared by the end of March.
“We are asking the neighbours in the area to be vigilant in reporting illegal dumping and any evidence that will assist council to prosecute offenders.”
Mr Thorpe said the council recommended that owners of vacant land erect a fence around their blocks, to help prevent illegal dumping.
He also said that every Wyndham household was entitled to three hard and green waste collections a year, which can be booked by calling 9742 0777.
