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DISGRACEFUL: Rubbish dumped in the bush near Jubilee Park.
The City of Whyalla is investigating an act of illegal dumping near Jubilee Park that could draw a fine of $1000 for the offender.
Council became aware of the mess in bushland through a resident and acted quickly to have it cleaned up before starting the investigation.
Wesley Social Enterprises, the organisation contracted by Council to perform various rubbish collection jobs, jumped quickly into action when contacted and had it cleaned up within hours.
Council CEO Chris Cowley said it was a good result for the city and the environment but incidents of illegal dumping like this would not be tolerated.
“Now that we’ve cleaned this illegal mess up, we will start tracking down the offenders,” Mr Cowley said.
“Wesley Social Enterprises do a great job helping us clean up these incidents but we’d rather they didn’t happen at all.
“Once we are able to identify who dumped this rubbish, we will be issuing them with expiations notices.
“This will not only send a message to the people responsible, it will let the wider community know you can’t get away with this sort of disgraceful behaviour.”
Fines of up to $1000 can be issued to residents illegally dumping and significantly higher for industrial waste.
THE FULL PICTURE: Rubbish strewn everywhere by illegal dumpers.
Mr Cowley said illegal dumping were also unnecessary. Many items can be dumped free at the Mount Laura Waste & Resource Recovery Centre and residents can organise for one hard-waste pickup per year.
To organise your free hard waste pick up, phone Bedford Industries on 8647 7711 and find out what exactly can be put out. Importantly, only put out your hard waste items on the day organised with Bedford Industries.
Items that can be dumped for free at the resource centre include car batteries, engine oil, metals (including metal household appliances such as fridges, ovens, washing machines and dryers), household cardboard and e-waste (computer equipment, monitors and televisions).
THE CLEAN UP: Wesley Social Enterprises staff get stuck into cleaning up someone else's rubbish.
Mr Cowley said there was also little excuse to dump illegally with Whyalla having some of the cheapest fees in the region and South Australia.
“It costs just $13 for a car boot of general waste at the Mount Laura Waste & Resource Recovery Centre,” Mr Cowley said.
“That’s pretty cheap when you consider it can cost up to $46 for the same amount of waste in other nearby dumps.
“If you sort out the metals and free dump items in your load, it may even become smaller and cheaper here in Whyalla.”
For more information call the recovery centre on 8645 5016 or see details on Council’s website https://www.whyalla.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=839
GOOD JOB: The illegal dump site returned to its natural state.