Dumped rubbish, trees and roads among top issues in Nillumbik data reveals

More and more homeowners in Melbourne’s north are choosing to report their neighbourhood complaints through the Snap Send Solve app. But one council believes the online tool is not providing the full details of the issues.

Bags of rubbish and an open manhole cover in Nillumbik were reported through the Snap Send Solve app.

Dumped rubbish is the most common gripe getting under the skin of ratepayers across the Diamond Valley.

Photos sent to the Snap Send Solve app by frustrated neighbours showed bins overflowing with rubbish, dumped couches and bags of waste left on the side of Nillumbik streets.

Other snaps revealed dangerous hazards for motorists and pedestrians such as gaping manholes, damaged fences and street signs, snapped trees and even a busted swing on a children’s playground.

Snap Send Solve app data reveals biggest dangers, frustrations with where we live

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Snap, Send, Solve app figures show dumped rubbish is our biggest frustration with councils

Snap Send Solve chief executive and founder Danny Gorog said the number of reports to Nillumbik Council grew 98 per cent from the end of 2017 to the end of last year.

Dumped rubbish was the most common incident type making up 19 per cent of all reports.

A total of 13 per cent of complaints were related to issues about trees, while 12 per cent were issues related to roads.

Dumped waste in Nillumbik.

A frustrated ratepayer takes a snap of a bin which clearly needs to be emptied.

“Users take a photo of the problem, and a report with details of the exact location images, and reporter notes is created that is then automatically shared with the appropriate authority for that specific issue in that particular location,” Mr Gorog said.

“By categorising incident types and assigning them to the appropriate service provider based on the user’s location, Snap Send Solve makes reporting issues a quick and simple thing to do.

“Authorities also appreciate the reduction in customer service costs due to the efficiency and accuracy of the reports sent from the app.”

Pieces of a damaged fence lay dangerously along the side of a road.

A smashed fence in Nillumbik.

A broken swing on a children’s playground.

Eltham’s Isabel Nalato said the app was a quick and easy way to ensure issues in the community were promptly addressed.

“Apps like Snap Send Solve will improve the ability of everyday community members, like me, to report issues on local streets that need addressing, helping improve our local aesthetic and ensure safety for all community members,” she said.

A street sign nailed to the lower end of the pole, meaning less eyes would see it.

A snapped tree.

Vandalism sighted in Nillumbik.

“Community safety is all our responsibility and we absolutely want to avoid the bystander effect.

“Never assume someone else will report a problem — take control back into your hands and report it.”

But Nillumbik Council spokesman Mitch Grayson said the app falsely claimed councils received the full details of the issues reported through Snap Send Solve.

“I would encourage residents to use the council’s existing reporting processes to lodge requests online or by contacting our customer service phone number to ensure residents reports are responded to promptly,” he said.

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