5200 reasons for Adelaide to hang its head in shame
THE illegal dumping of rubbish in suburban Adelaide is costing local councils millions of dollars – and fed up residents have had enough. How are things where you live?
- The disgraceful dumping of rubbish by river
- Illegal dumping on the rise in Holdfast Bay
- Dumping hard rubbish illegally? Prepare to be named and shamed
- Opinion: Illegal dumping isn’t worth risking a heavy penalty
TELL US BELOW: Have you a problem spot in your area?
ABOUT 5200 cases of illegally dumped litter have been reported to northern councils so far this financial year — prompting local mayors to urge residents to clean up their act.
From July to March, Playford Council recorded 4941 instances of illegal dumping in reserves, parks and streets across its district, while Salisbury Council tallied 241 cases.
Playford’s figure compared to 5529 cases in 2015-16 and Salisbury’s compared to 250.
It included general waste, cigarette butts, broken glass, liquid and domestic rubbish, and even hazardous waste such as asbestos.
In March the Southern Times Messenger reported on the dumping of rubbish on the banks of the Onkaparinga River, in Adelaide’s south.
Locals told of their frustration over broken furniture, old linen, boxes of paper and various plastics left strewn by the river in a disgraceful display of disregard for the environment.
Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty said illegal dumping was a significant burden for councils financially, costing ratepayers about $1 million each year to clean up.
It equates to about seven tonnes of rubbish each week.
“When it comes to illegally dumped rubbish, we’re just as frustrated as our residents.,” he said.
“It’s a time-consuming and costly exercise when we could be focusing on critical services like fixing roads and maintaining sporting grounds.”
Mr Docherty hoped the new Local Nuisance and Litter Control Act 2016, which came into effect in February and carries hefty fines, would deter people from illegal dumping.
Under the Act, a $210 fine is dished out to anyone caught dumping small amounts of waste, while a class B hazardous offence, which includes dumping lit cigarette butts, used syringes and glass, carries a $500 fine for litter up to 50 litres and $1000 for litter more than 50 litres.
A class A hazardous instance — waste such as asbestos — can lead to a $250,000 fine for a body corporate and $120,000 for an individual, or a jail sentence of two years.
In January, Playford doubled its free hard waste collection service, offering it twice a month, and also did a doorknock to let people know when to put out their waste for collection.
Meanwhile, Salisbury uses a mobile surveillance camera to capture litterers in the act and monitor known hot spots.
It also offers the “suburb by suburb booking system”, which allows a hard waste collection service one month in advance at a cost of $10.
“The most difficult aspect of combating illegal dumping and littering has been catching someone in the act in order to get them to clean it up or be issued a fine,” Mayor Gillian Aldridge said.
“We encourage the community to report illegal dumping.
“Not only is it an offence, it can pollute our environment, creates hazards to other road users and pedestrians, and also affects the amenity of our city.”
To help catch illegal dumpers, use the “dob in a litterer” smartphone app or call your local council.