Council concerned by illegal dumping

THERE has been a rise in the amount of illegal dumping across Golden Plains Shire.

In May the local government recorded 28 reports of illegal dumping, up from 16 the same time last year.

Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey said illegal dumping was not a victimless act.

“It impacts our environment, our roadsides and ultimately the pockets of every ratepayer,” he said.

“We’re seeing everyday items like mattresses, household waste and tyres being left across our shire, and the cost to remove and dispose of these materials quickly adds up.”

The council has released a series of hot spots and examples of financial costs it has had to wear as part of recent illegal dumping.

Clarkes Road (Anakie), Pollocksford Road (Stonehaven), Butchers Road (Batesford), Inverleigh-Winchelsea Road (Inverleigh) and a number of roads across Bannockburn, Haddon, Meredith and Durdidwarrah have been hit with rubbish.

About $720 was spent on removing tyres along Butchers Road, and $1,700 was used disposing of dumped chemical drums.

Stockpiles of soil left in Parker Road, Sutherlands Creek was estimated to cost $3,760 to be removed. The price to remove mixed soil and construction waste dumped at Linton-Piggoreet Road, Piggoreet and Nicholls Road, Ross Creek was $5,200.

“Every dollar spent cleaning up illegally dumped waste is a dollar that could be invested back into our community,” Cr Sharkey said.

“We’re asking residents and visitors alike to do the right thing – dispose of waste responsibly and legally. Taking care of our environment is a shared responsibility.”

The council is encouraging residents to use local Resource Recovery Centres. Many items are accepted either free or at low cost.

More information at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/resident/waste-management