Rubbish complaints overflow as city’s treasure is trashed with litter

RUBBISH complaints in central Melbourne are soaring as residents, workers and visitors voice their anger at litter-strewn laneways and overflowing bins.

RUBBISH complaints in central Melbourne are soaring.

Residents, workers and visitors are all voicing anger about litter-strewn laneways and overflowing bins.

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Dumped rubbish such as mattresses and furniture is an increasing problem due to the population boom in the city, which has put a strain on the city council’s resources.

Rubbish bags dumped on the pavement on Chetwynd St, North Melbourne. Picture: Snap Send Solve

New data from reporting app Snap Send Solve revealed a 292 per cent spike in the number of dumped rubbish complaints last year, from 118 in 2016 to 466. Reports about recycling, garbage and bins jumped 250 per cent; hard rubbish complaints fell from 160 to just 15 in the period.

An average of eight complaints a day were made via the app alone. Residents also reported problems with abandoned cars, graffiti, noise, parking, and trees.

Rubbish overflows from dumpsters in Normanby Lane, central Melbourne. Picture: Snap Send Solve

Rubbish dumped in Meyers Place, Melbourne. Picture: Snap Send Solve

Snap Send Solve founder Danny Gorog said central Melbourne had a problem with rubbish.

“There’s just a lot of rubbish around, in the laneways, bins that are full, people just dumping crap on the side of the road because they know the council will fix it,’’ he said. “As the population grows we are going to see more of it.’’

A City of Melbourne spokeswoman said its records showed overall dumped rubbish complaints had increased by 7 per cent. “Overall recycling, garbage and bin complaints received decreased by 21 per cent.’’

Rubbish is dumped on the side of the road in Vale St, North Melbourne. Picture: Snap Send Solve

Bags are dumped alongside overflowing bins in Merriman Lane, Melbourne. Picture: Snap Send Solve

She said bin overflow and illegal dumping often occurred when people used public bins for household or commercial waste. Illegally dumped rubbish was removed within four days from the time of reporting.

But Mr Gorog said the council was just trying to keep up with the problem.

“(It) spends a lot of money on things that don’t really help the residents,’’ he said.

“If they doubled the budget on filling in potholes and pavement issues and cleaning up dumped rubbish, it would have a significant impact in the lives of people who work in the city and live in the city.’’

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