Nillumbik Council could install CCTV cameras to catch rubbish dumpers

Asbestos is among piles of dumped rubbish found daily across Melbourne’s north. Now one fed-up council is considering CCTV surveillance to catch dumpers out. But why are they doing it in the first place?

Household rubbish is being dumped on roads in Diamond Valley.

Nillumbik Council will consider installing CCTV cameras to catch the “selfish” culprits dumping burnt-out cars, tyres, television sets and even piles of asbestos on the sides of roads every day.

So much rubbish was found dumped across Diamond Valley on Sunday April 13 the council was forced to call upon two extra waste disposal trucks and call in four extra staff to help.

It cost the council $1000 for two staff members to remove 17 mounds of dumped trash along a 3.5km stretch of road.

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The council responded to 852 call-outs to clear illegally dumped rubbish from July 1 last year to March 1, 2019, costing ratepayers $80,000.

Mayor Cr Karen Egan said a “bad day” meant council officers will make four trips to and from the transfer station.

“It’s disgraceful. The situation has been ongoing for many years and is getting worse,” she said.

“What makes it worse is every time asbestos is dumped, council has to call in a special hazardous waste team to dispose of it.”

About 10 — 12 cubic metres of asbestos was dumped throughout Nillumbik in the last financial year.

A blue tarp covers a pile of dumped asbestos in Nillumbik.

The council has spent $2,100 to have a special hazardous waste team remove asbestos so far this year — on one occasion the bill totalled $600.

Environment and sustainability chair Cr Jane Ashton said people were dumping rubbish to avoid paying tip fees.

”Their selfish actions means the cost of this is borne by all the ratepayers,” she said.

“Dumping rubbish is not only expensive but it degrades the environment and makes our beautiful shire look messy.”

Eltham’s Jim Connor said he often saw rubbish dumped along cycling trails.

“It’s very disturbing — I would see anything from mattresses and old televisions to furniture, building rubble and plastic bags,” he said.

Council workers even found a burnt-out car dumped next to a creek in Nillumbik.

“Especially when adjacent to creeks, it can have a serious impact on the environment.”

Friends of Nillumbik president Greg Johnson said the council had a case for installing CCTV.

“If there are known regular places where people dump rubbish illegally then the council has to do what they can to stop them,” he said.

“But you would think once people become weary of these cameras they would dump the rubbish elsewhere.”

Cr Egan called on neighbours to report dumped rubbish, but to also report any sightings of the culprits in action.

The council can issue fines ranging from $200 to $322 — but the penalty is about $5000 if the matter goes to court, particularly if asbestos is involved.

The 24-hour EPA hotline is on 1300 372 842, while people can phone the council’s customer service line on 9433 3111.

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