Oscar Parry
Hume council will hold a forum for local real estate agents to provide them with information about rubbish disposal options for ratepayers and tenants.
The forum is part of ongoing efforts to prevent illegal dumping in the region, with the council reporting that it cleaned up 4881 tonnes of illegally dumped rubbish last financial year.
The council hopes that through educating homeowners and renters about their waste disposal entitlements, such as two free hard rubbish collections and two free tip passes a year, there will be less illegal dumping across Hume.
Cr Jim Overend, who moved the motion at the June 11 council meeting, said that rubbish is often left on nature strips by tenants leaving a rental property.
“This forum will be a great opportunity for real estate agents to be made aware of the services that Hume provides … and then to then be able to pass that on to their residents and householders,” Cr Overend said.
“This way they can make them aware of these services and also the consequences of dumping their rubbish illegally.”
Cr Jarrod Bell said that he suspects illegal dumping is fuelled by a lack of awareness around the free services available to homeowners and tenants.
“Officers tell us time and time again, 16 per cent of our tip passes are being used, yet, we get told time and time again … how inaccessible it is to go to the tip,” Cr Bell said.
Cr Joseph Haweil said that logistical and financial issues lead to tenants leaving behind rubbish when they move out.
“In some cases they’re downsizing, in some cases they’re moving further away, or don’t have the resources to be able to transport things. So, it is at that point that you see a large amount of rubbish being accumulated,” Cr Haweil said.
