Adelaide councils investigate an extra 500 nuisance and litter complaints due to COVID-19
People spending more time at home due to COVID-19 are dobbing on their neighbours for dumping unwanted goods.
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Residents using the forced time at home during COVID-19 to clean up their properties has seen a spike in the number of litter complaints being investigated by Adelaide councils.
Between February 1 and April 31, complaints made to 16 metropolitan councils under the Nuisance and Litter Control Act jumped 12 per cent – from 4439 to 4952 – compared to the same period the year before.
The rise has been attributed largely on neighbours dobbing on residents for dumping unwanted items on verges, and on more people frequenting parks and reserves causing bins to overflow.
Port Adelaide Enfield Council fielded 901 complaints – the highest of any council – while Playford (283 up to 448) and Mitcham (439 up to 612) had the largest increases.
A Playford Council spokeswoman said the jump in complaints had stretched resources and if it continued, could force rates to rise next financial year.
“Compared to the same period last year, council has received an increased number of complaints on illegally dumped rubbish,” the spokeswoman said.
“Council believes this is due to more residents being at home and cleaning up their properties in response to COVID-19 and an increased number of active residents reporting illegally dumped rubbish in Playford.”
Burnside chief executive Chris Cowley said there had been a “huge increase” in dumped rubbish in streets and in park bins due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Total instances of dumped rubbish reported to Burnside rose from 129 to 152 over the three-month period.
Mitcham’s development and community safety general manager Craig Harrison said with more people at home “there was an increased awareness of issues such as noise and illegal dumping”.
The State Government handballed the responsibility of investigating complaints made under the Nuisance and Litter Control Act to councils in July, 2017.
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Complaints can relate to noise, odour, smoke and dumped rubbish.
Port Adelaide Enfield chief executive Mark Withers said the council had been forced to employ a full-time environmental nuisance officer to manage complaints.
“There has been a steady increase in complaints associated with (the act)... which may be attributed to the community becoming more aware of the legislation and our responsibility in managing these issues,” Mr Withers said.
He also said construction works and air conditioning units were two of the most common noise complaints.
Unley, Walkerville and Prospect councils did not provide complaint data.