Residents and businesses now face tougher penalties for environmental offences such as dumping rubbish.
The significant fines aim to curb the littering that has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Individuals dumping rubbish will receive on-the-spot fines up to $1,800. This could rise to more than $40,000 if the matter goes to court.
Businesses face on-the-spot-fines up to $9,087. If taken to court, this could jump to $218,088.
These tougher penalties are in line with changes made to the Environment Protection Act 2017 in July.
Prior to this, the maximum on-the-spot fines councils could impose for individuals dumping rubbish in Victoria was $361.
The new penalties aim to discourage individuals from dumping rubbish, and bring awareness to the seriousness of the matter.
Rubbish dumping remains a significant problem in Brimbank, and has since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last financial year, Council spent approximately $1 million investigating, enforcing and cleaning up illegally dumped rubbish. But the impact is more than financial.
Brimbank Mayor Cr Ranka Rasic said: “While the dollar cost of dumping rubbish in our community is shocking, the damage to our open spaces, environment and wildlife is also significant and impossible to measure fully”.
There are a number of responsible ways to get rid of rubbish and recycling in Brimbank.
For bulky hard waste and green waste, residents can access Council’s At Call Hard Waste collection service. Residents receive one ‘no charge’ collection each financial year, with additional collections available at a cost.
To learn more about correct waste disposal in Brimbank, or to report rubbish dumping, visit Brimbank Council’s Rubbish, Recycling and Waste page.
