Illegal dumping costs on the rise in the Hills

Mount Barker Council will consider a hard rubbish collection to combat the growing problem of illegal dumping in the region.

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Mount Barker Council is stepping up its fight against illegal dumping after it was revealed its clean-up bill has risen to $20,000 a year.

Data released to The Adelaide Hills News shows 416 clean-up requests had been received since July 2017, including 179 in 2018/19 up from 170 in 2017/18.

There have been 121 reports so far this financial year.

However, the council also reports that the size of dumped loads is skyrocketing, and that instead of an occasional garbage bag the call outs are more frequently for bigger loads of

old toys and clothes, furniture, kitchen appliances and mattresses.

An informal meeting to discuss ongoing waste management has been called for Monday afternoon.

It follows renewed calls from the public to get on top the region’s growing waste crisis.

Councillor Bradley Orr said he would be putting forward a motion for a hard rubbish collection at least once a year to help combat the problem.

At the moment, there is no policy to deal with hard rubbish – with residents able to pay to take their hard rubbish to the local dump.

Rubbish illegally dumped in the Mount Barker Council area in February. Source: Adelaide Hills Chat.

“That figure is quite excessive. Shocking really. I had no idea it was that bad,” he said.

“If’s definitely good evidence to pursue hard rubbish, especially if it’s costing council $20,000 a year.

“That’s money we should be spending on more important things.”

He said the council would also consider a rollout of tip vouchers and free dumping days.

The council currently provides waste management services in the form of kerbside collection. It comes at a cost of $193 per annum for township ratepayers and $163 per annum for rural ratepayers.

“Most of the items that are being dumped at things that people don’t know how to get rid off, such as old mattresses,” Cr Orr said.

“That’s why I think offering hard-rubbish collection once or twice a year, could assist with that.”

A letter of support for hard-rubbish collection was also put forward by the Mount Barker and District Residents Association during last month’s council meeting.

Chairwoman Dianne van Eck said waste-management was a concern for many ratepayers and one that needed to be addressed.

“I think the main issue is that council is worried about the cost of it all, which is why we propose a pilot,” she said.

“Waste is a big problem for people who are elderly or disabled who don’t have a trailer or a tow-bar and people who are already recycling but can’t get rid of the big items.

“We think that those are the people who really need our help and would benefit from hard-rubbish collection.”