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Lazy dumpers costing us all

EXCLUSIVE Holly ThompsonSound Telegraph
The illegal dumping spot discovered off Nairn Drive in Baldivis.
Camera IconThe illegal dumping spot discovered off Nairn Drive in Baldivis. Credit: Supplied

Selfish and careless rubbish dumpers are costing the rest of us thousands every single week, with the City of Rockingham reporting a 30 per cent increase in illegal dumping compared to the same period last year.

COVID-19 has been named a potential factor in the spike in reports, with people spending more time at home to renovate or clear out their yards.

The City named Baldivis as the suburb with the highest reports, followed by Karnup and East Rockingham.

Over the past four months the City received 114 reports of illegal dumping and Mayor Barry Sammels said it cost ratepayers about $4,000 per week to remove the rubbish.

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“Baldivis has a large rural component with new subdivisions. These areas are less populated and are accessible for these activities to be undertaken,” he said.

“In comparison to the same period last year there has been a 30 per cent increase.”

Mr Sammels said the City had a LitterBusters Team which helped with the removal of rubbish illegally dumped on public property, but could do nothing about rubbish dumped on private property.

Baldivis MLA Reece Whitby said he had received several reports of rubbish dumped on private property along Baldivis Road.

Earlier in the year there were reports of a major illegal dumping site on private property off Zig Zag Road. Pictures last week showed another site off Nairn Drive fall victim to the disturbing trend.

One commentator said “It’s so sad. We have verge collection and get tip passes in the rates and so much of this is just rubbish that can go in the bin. Hopefully when it’s cleaned up there’s something left behind with a name and address on it.”

Others described it as “disgusting” and “disgraceful” and expressed concern for wildlife in the area.

“I’m very disappointed that a small minority of thoughtless idiots want to trash Baldivis by dumping rubbish illegally,” Mr Whitby said.

“I can’t imagine what goes through the heads of these people. What makes them think it’s alright to just throw their rubbish in the bush.

“It’s a selfish act that says you don’t give a stuff about our local community.”

Mr Whitby said there was a possibility illegal dumping had increased over the past few months due to COVID-19.

“A lot of good things have come about as our community responds to the challenge of COVID-19 but this might be one of the rare bad ways some have reacted,” he said.

“It might be that some people have used spare time at home to clean up their yards, but there is no excuse for not using the local transfer station tip on Millar Road.

“Every single Rockingham ratepayer gets tip passes on their rates notice. If you rent, make sure you ask your property agent for the passes.

“We have a very good local waste transfer facility close by which is easy to use. There should be no excuse.”

Mr Whitby said he had also made efforts to contact private property owners and ensure they take responsibility for blocking access to their land if it was a dumping spot. “The vast majority of Baldivis residents have a great sense of pride in their suburb and care about how our community looks,” he said.

“I don’t know who these dumpers are or where they come from but I would like to see them caught and fined substantially.”

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