Garbage law keeping residents on their toes: Surf Coast Shire tops list in enforcing bin placement

One local council has fined 11 property owners a total of $3850 under a little known law that is only enforced when multiple warnings are ignored.

Surf Coast Shire councillor Libby Stapleton.

One local council has fined 11 property owners a total of $3850 under a little known law that is only enforced when multiple warnings are ignored.

All councils in the region have rules around when bins can be put out for collection and how long they can remain afterwards.

In the Surf Coast Shire, bins must not be put out more than 24 hours before collection day and returned to the property within 48 hours after collection.

“The property owner is responsible for ensuring the bins are presented for collection and removed from the kerbside within these time frames,” its website states.

Under a three-step process, the shire first sends an “educational letter” informing the property owner or occupant of the rules, which is followed by a formal notice to comply if the issue remains.

If the property fails to comply, only then is a $350 issued.

The shire last year issued 11 fines, 53 notices to comply, and 341 letters.

Geelong council has the same three-stage policy, except owners have 24 hours to bring their bin in after collection day, rather than 48 hours.

It issued two $300 infringements last year.

“If we receive a complaint about bins being left out for too long, our first step is to contact the resident and educate them about their obligations,” acting executive director of community service delivery Alistair Miller said.

“Generally, this approach works, and we achieve voluntary compliance.”

A Golden Plains Shire spokesman said it had never issued a fine for non-compliance.

Originally published as Garbage law keeping residents on their toes: Surf Coast Shire tops list in enforcing bin placement