By Casey Neill
Garbos could become mobile trash spotters for Greater Dandenong Council.
Councillor Sean O’Reilly proposed the new initiative at the Monday 14 November council meeting.
He said the idea came from his time on the campaign hustings in the lead-up to the 22 October local government election.
“I certainly got a lot of free advice from residents, as well as some good suggestions,” he said.
“One thing residents constantly mentioned is ‘what can we do more to clean up the streets?’
“This council contracts waste trucks.
“They go round and visit every street in the municipality.
“Why couldn’t we somehow build into the contract to incentivise truck drivers that when they see dumped rubbish with no sticker they press a button in the cab of the vehicle and it gets marked on a computer map?”
He said the council could be alerted to the location for action.
“They already have GPS-enabled trucks,” he said.
“I’d like this idea to progress and I’d like the view of the director of engineering.”
The council’s engineering services director, Julie Reid, said the idea was possible but the council would need to consider contract costs, map integration and occupational health and safety issues.
“We have already had some initial discussions with JJ Richards,” she said.
“I’m happy to progress the discussion.”
Cr O’Reilly said illegal rubbish dumping affected visitors as well as locals.
He said the council had a number of initiatives to tackle rubbish dumping.
“The council’s war on rubbish continues,” he said.
In May, the council adopted six new initiatives to tackle illegal rubbish dumping, 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.
More than 400 people were fined for illegal rubbish dumping in the year to May.
The council collected 625 tonnes of illegally dumped rubbish across the municipality this financial year, ranging from mattresses to petrol drums and dead livestock.
