Cumberland council issues zero fines for spitting despite public outcry

The centre of one western Sydney council area has more than 40 no spitting signs, that claim a $110 on the spot fine will be issued to any spitter, but that has done little to deter the habit.

Spitting bans are not being enforced by council officers, despite more than 40 signs across Cumberland and $110 fines.

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SPITTERS are getting away with their repulsive habits and flouting signs because Cumberland Council is not enforcing the “pointless” rule.

The council displays about 40 no spitting signs in town centres and were erected in response to the community but it has not issued a $110 fine for spitting in the past 12 months.

The council’s general manager Hamish McNulty said instead it was “discouraging this sort of behaviour through education”.

At Merrylands, spitters are a regular sight and residents and traders are fed up with the woeful lack of manners.

“It’s disgusting, it’s foul. You don’t want to be around the station,” Ben Vorster said.

The real estate agent assistant said delinquents marred the area and charity workers regularly hassled commuters near the station.

“I hope it changes with gentrification,’’ Mr Vorster said.

Ben Vorster outside the sign opposite Merrylands train station.

“This place is booming, this is going to be Sydney’s second CBD.

“That’s why I started my career here. It’s (spitting) a residue of disrespect and the same thing happened at Pyrmont and Glebe in the ‘90s with gentrification.”

Najem and Sam Naamo at Bi-Rite electrical store Merrylands.

Wendy Chan at Merrylands Newsagency.

Mr Vorster’s colleague at Starr Partners, Sarah Ayoub, said the fines for spitting were futile.

“I think it needs to be focused on. I don’t think by giving a person a fine it’s going to stop them from spitting,’’ she said.

“It goes back to their teaching and the way they’ve been brought up, I guess.

“I live in Merrylands and you see it a lot.”

Big Bun worker Sam Alubudi, whose Pitt St shop is near a sign, blamed it on a cultural habit.

“It’s all imports here,’’ he said.

“It’s (fines) are important but no one listens so there’s no point to it.”

The subject of spitting opened a can of worms for the public keen to vent about other anti-social habits at Merrylands.

Merrylands Newsagency worker Wendy Chan is used to witnessing drug deals, people urinating in the lane near the Merrylands Rd shop.

Bi-Rite electrical store owner Najem Naamon labelled spitters “sick people”.

“They don’t respect anyone,” he said.

“Even if you’re having lunch, it’s in front of you.”

He pointed out scores of marks on the footpath outside the Merrylands Rd shop — chewing gum that cannot be dislodged.

He has run the store at Merrylands Rd for 25 years and seen the suburb’s decline.

“Back then it was good but now it’s really bad. For me, I don’t like it anymore.”