Pam Brown, Jeff Brown, Tarrant and Lisa Sanders, Nick Gentile want people to stop dumping rubbish near Hallam-Belgrave Road. 89388_09 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS Tree clippings, grass and other rubbish have become a breeding ground for rats. 89388_12
By LIA SPENCER
CASEY Council hopes to stop more rubbish from being dumped near a busy road which residents say has become an eyesore, fire hazard and home to rats.
Narre Warren North resident Jeff Brown said that people were dumping grass cuttings, plastic bags and other rubbish along Hallam-Belgrave Road near Endeavour Hills, 50 metres south of James Cook Drive.
He said that garden contractors originally dumped mulch near the road instead of at the tip, and other people soon followed.
“It’s become a local tip of illegal dumping,” he said.
“I see trailers dumping off rubbish all the time. Mainly garden cuttings, trees, and at one time there was a bag of asbestos.”
Mr Brown said he had seen rats in among the rubbish and worried that the mess could become a fire hazard in the hotter months.
“All it takes is one stupid person to walk by and start fire to it and it would be like a giant bonfire,” he said.
Mr Brown contacted former councillors to address his concerns and more recently spoke to newly-elected Four Oaks councillor Rafal Kaplon, who promised to look into it.
But City of Casey parks and reserves manager Trevor Griffin said the council had already been investigating the matter.
Mr Griffin said that following discussions with VicRoads, the council had taken responsibility for securing the site and developing signs to prevent further dumping.
Arrangements are being made to mulch the existing pile of green waste before the approaching fire danger period. The generated mulch will be used in the council’s gardens.
City of Casey waste management team leader Jorja Smith said the council had a number of strategies to control and prevent dumping of rubbish on council-owned land including a Litter Prevention Task Force, which includes installing signs and surveillance cameras in hot spots for dumped rubbish.
The council also provides households in Casey with two free hard waste collections of up to three cubic metres each, per year. Bookings for a hard waste collection can be made by calling 9729 9100.
Council is also working with the Metropolitan Waste Management Group to develop a regional approach to the issue due to the rising cost of waste disposal.
City of Casey community safety manager Caroline Bell said the council was committed to investigating reports of dumped rubbish. Anyone with information regarding litter dumping can report it to the council on 9705 5200 or the EPA on 1300 372 842.
The more detailed the information, including registration numbers of vehicles and descriptions, the more likely the council or EPA can catch and potentially prosecute the offender and prevent future dumping.
Ms Bell said the council’s local laws officers patrolled the municipality to regulate the instances of litter dumping.
Penalties for littering include: On the spot penalty for general litter offence – $282; Maximum penalty in court for general litter – $5680; Maximum penalty in court for aggravated litter – $8520 plus one month imprisonment.
