New mobile cameras aimed at identifying and prosecuting illegal dumpers have been installed at known litter hot spots throughout the City of Melton.
As part of the waste prevention program, Council has identified a number of local areas where illegal dumping most often occurs, deploying high-tech cameras to capture dumping and identify and prosecute offenders.
City of Melton Mayor Cr Goran Kesic said Council was actively addressing dumping issues within the municipality.
“Removing illegally dumped rubbish from our streets and rural areas represents a significant cost for Council each year,” Cr Kesic said.
“This program has been effective in detecting and enforcing illegal dumping, and deterring waste being dumped, both while the cameras are in place and after the enforcement action.”
Council approved the new initiative as part of its 2021/2022 budget, with cameras being deployed at high-dumping areas in August 2021.
As a result, Council has experienced a significant reduction in clean-up costs of dumped rubbish. In one location in Melton West, costs were reduced by 52 per cent over a two-month period; and in another location in Mt Cottrell, a reduction of 55 per cent was experienced.
A number of offenders have also been detected, with offences ranging from car boots of rubbish being dumped, to trucks dumping full loads of waste soil.
Infringement notices ranging from $363 to over $9,000 have been issued with Council also seeking to recoup clean-up costs from offenders.
“Not only is dumped rubbish an eyesore, but it’s also dangerous to drivers and pedestrians,” Cr Kesic said.
“A recent incident saw our new cameras capture a tipper-truck dumping soil on the road, which was a serious hazard to drivers.
“Council not only removed the dumped soil, but also identified the offender and issued a substantial infringement.
“It’s a timely reminder that many residents have some no-additional-cost options for disposing of bulky items and household waste including utilising your two drops offs at the Melton Recycling Facility or booking in a hard waste collection.”
