Rubbish fines to clean up their act

Rubbish dumpers beware – Greater Dandenong Council is cracking down on the illegal behaviour to clean up its streets.
Councillors, at their 23 May, meeting adopted six new initiatives to tackle the problem, including advocating for a state-wide advertising campaign, a local waste transfer station and firmer fine penalties.
There’ll also be a 12-month hot spot collection program trial, two drive-through recycling days, and more rural roadside surveillance cameras.
At a cost of $290,000, a truck and mobile crew will pro-actively patrol hot spot areas, collect dumped rubbish and work with enforcement staff.
Charity agencies run drive-through recycling days where they open a 24-hour drop-off point for people to bring in unwanted household items for recycling.
The council plans to hold two events at a cost of $25,000 each.
Mayor Heang Tak said more than 400 people were fined for illegal rubbish dumping in the past year and face a maximum $6080 penalty.
He said the council collected 625 tonnes of illegally dumped rubbish across the municipality this financial year, ranging from mattresses to petrol drums and dead livestock.
Cr Matthew Kirwan said the council collected more than 472 tonnes of illegally dumped rubbish in 2013-14 – triple the amount in 2009-10.
“One of the frequent issues I have been contacted about has been rubbish dumping hotspots in central Dandenong and central Noble Park,” he said.
“These are often areas where there are many multi-unit residential complexes and short-term rentals.”
He said the hot spot collection trial was likely to make a big impact on the problem.
“Other initiatives such as the expansion of the rural roadside surveillance camera program will aid in other hot spot areas – the rural parts of Keysborough and Bangholme,” he said.