Four cameras designed to catch rubbish dumpers in the act have proven so successful that the Brimbank council plans to install more.
Brimbank mayor Margaret Giudice said the council plans to add 15 cameras across Brimbank to the four installed in 2017.
“Council and our community are fed up with rogue operators and rubbish dumpers using our streets as a dumping ground,” Cr Giudice said.
“We’re sending a message to illegal rubbish dumpers – it’s time to stop the rubbish – we want to make Brimbank a no-go zone for rubbish dumpers.”
The cameras have also netted the council a place as a finalist in the Keep Victoria Beautiful Sustainable Cities Awards.
“I’m delighted that council’s work in this area has been recognised with a place at the finals in the Keep Victoria Beautiful Sustainable Cities Awards 2018 – Litter Prevention category,” Cr Giudice said.
“However, I’m even more pleased that these cameras are achieving the results we had hoped for and significantly reducing the rate of illegal rubbish dumping at these litter hot spots.”
The specially designed cameras are equipped with infrared night vision, motion detectors and number-plate identification recognition technology.
In an effort to bolster the system, some of the cameras are monitored by a second, hidden camera to capture potential vandals.
Illegally dumped rubbish has been a significant impost on the Brimbank council.
It received about 4800 reports of illegally dumped rubbish and littering last financial year.
The cleanup bill attached to illegally dumped rubbish cost the council $700,000.
Cr Giudice encouraged residents and community members to report all instances of dumped rubbish via the council’s website www.brimbank.vic.gov.au or by phoning 9249 4000.
Keep Victoria Beautiful will announce award winners at a ceremony in Melbourne on August 10, 2018.
