Ryde Council ramps up efforts to catch illegal dumpers
From surveillance trailers to bollards with hidden cameras, a Sydney council has beefed up its equipment to tackle illegal dumping – after reporting more than 200 incidents in just two months.
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More than 200 incidents of illegal dumping were reported in the City of Ryde in just two months, as council beefs-up its surveillance equipment to catch offenders in the act.
Council has recently bought a new surveillance trailer to catch and deter offenders.
The white trailer, equipped with CCTV cameras, is stationed on a street identified before recording and transmitting live video images of anyone who dumps their goods.
The trailer is emblazoned with the words “dumping is illegal” and warns of $2000 fines for people who are caught.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, council has reported a surge in illegal dumping with more than 200 incidents from March to May this year.
In a recent social media post, mayor Jerome Laxale showed off the surveillance trailer in Marsfield saying “Big Brother is watching illegal dumpers across our City.”
While some praised the council for tackling illegal dumping, others claimed the surveillance trailers were too “obvious.”
“But the problem is you can’t miss it so no one would dump stuff where it’s located,” one woman said.
“Needs to be less obvious,” she added.
Some bollard devices across the City of Ryde have also had monitoring systems installed to catch offenders.
A Ryde Council spokesman said they were targeting streets with more than four reports of illegal dumping in a 12-month period and apartment blocks.
“A number of incidents have been reported in the vicinity of apartment blocks which do not have facilities to store large household rubbish items.
“Council is working with residents and strata managers to improve knowledge of the clean-up booking process and encourage residents to plan ahead when disposing of unwanted items by booking a clean-up or donating to friends, family or a charity.”
Council said the surveillance trailer was one of the “key tools” used to catch and deter offenders and said the live video images were used for the “sole purpose of identifying” illegal dumping only.
Jordan Hodgson from the Bennelong chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby said he welcomed the initiative.
“I welcome initiatives such as this from council that strengthen the protection of our local community and environment,” Mr Hodgson said.
“Illegal dumping compounds the risk and effects of climate change and hurts our economy and waste recovery is an important part of looking after our natural and often finite resources.
“I think Ryde council is leading the way compared to many other councils and I'm proud to see that being a local.”
To report an illegal dumping incident contact council at 9952 8222 or email cityofryde@ryde.nsw.gov.au
What information to report?
- location and what was dumped
- date and time of the incident
- the registration number, make and model of the vehicle if seen
- a photo/video of the dumping incident if possible