Blacktown City Council - Meda Release - $2,000 For A Free Dump

Media Release

21 February 2018

A Marsden Park resident has been fined $2,000 for illegally dumping rubbish Blacktown City Council could have collected for free.

The illegally dumped rubbish was discovered in front of a vacant building block on Atkinson Street, Marsden Park.

The Western Sydney Regional Illegal Dumping Squad (WSRID Squad) was called in and they discovered something in the rubbish that linked it to the owner.

Because the owner could not prove a contractor was responsible for removing the waste, he was fined. 

Legislation allows the owner of the waste to be fined regardless of whether or not they were the person that dumped the waste.

The Mayor of Blacktown City, Stephen Bali MP, says that there is no excuse for dumping rubbish on the kerb, when every household in the city can have up to 12 booked household clean up services a year.

“Last financial year approximately 94,000 residents and ratepayers took advantage of the service, and I thank them for doing the right thing,” he said.

“Our household clean up service is available to all residents and I urge people to take advantage of it.”

If the rubbish had been collected by Council or recycled for free at SUEZ Waste Management Centre, Powers Road, Seven Hills or Cleanaway, Bessemer Street, Blacktown, it would have cost nothing.

Mayor Bali also issued a warning about waste removal contractors.

“You need to do your homework before contracting someone to remove rubbish,” he said.

“Make sure you get tipping dockets so you know your contractor is legally disposing the waste and you are getting what you paid for.

“People who illegally dump rubbish in Blacktown City need to be aware we are watching - and if we catch you, we will take action.

“We urge residents to photograph and report any instances of illegal dumping they see.”

Blacktown City Council works with the NSW Environment Protection Authority and the Western Sydney Regional Illegal Dumping Squad to curb and manage illegal dumping in the Blacktown local government area.

In the last financial year, Council investigated nearly 2,200 reports of illegal dumping in residential areas.

This Is What We Need In Mount Druitt and Blacktown LGA - Recycling Stations for Bins

We, in Blacktown City Council of which Mount Druitt in a  major  part have sister cities, as follows:

• Porirua, New Zealand, since 1984.
• Suseong-gu, Daegu, South Korea, since 1994.
• Liaocheng, China, since 2003.
• Liverpool Plains, Australia, since 2005.

Yet,is it possible that we can pick up  important improvement changes, to make our community better from other places around the world. This is how communities change as well as using our local knowledge.

So on a recent  trip to Akaroa in New Zealand,  these bins caught my eye and is it something we could look at  having rather than having multiple bins we have at present:

The signs stay "Not for commercial or domestic use', it is used for public use in parks, gardens and open public spaces. Now I know that. I think it will be unique if we can teach our community to use different bins for different waste products, the  our community will be a better cleaner and tidier place. It doesn't take  much to set these up - an extra cost. But an extra cost in the right direction - in the long run costs could be well reduced and that means less rates to pay.

Former Blacktown City Councillor and Deputy Mayor With Simple Community Suggestion - From Why I Love Mount Druitt - Google Plus

In this wonderful community we live in suggestions for community improvements, don't just come from community members and 'thinking stakeholders'. No matter how big or small the suggested improvement is, the bigger chance our community  is in improved.

What makes it impressive is great comments and feed back from former politicians. Yes, that is right! Politician that lost elections or retire and live in the area do come up with suggestions. Would you believe it?

While I have posted all blog posts on Google Plus (Google +), promoting improvements around Mount Druitt, spreading our word of good will, reporting what physical aspects of our community need to be fixed up and  also political comments on  political issues,  a comment came from former Councillor of Blacktown City Council from ward 3, Kathie Collins, which I would like to share with you:

Kathie Collins

Well said, John.  It is important that those who care take action to clean-up.  Others will follow.  One good idea would be for residents to pick up any litter around their home when they put the garbage out.  I dream of what a difference even that small action would make.  Many residents go for daily walks.  Collection of rubbish in one plastic bag would make a difference as well as being able to get your walk in.  The list goes on.  The bigger issues need to be dealt with by Council, Housing NSW etc.etc

Editors Notes: And that was in response to  "WILMD" introduction in Google +:

Click here for "WILMD" Google + introduction

So what a simple suggestion to do! When you go for your next walk, will you pick up rubbish along your way?

If people around the community see you pick rubbish, they will follow you and the word spreads!

William Mason Reserve Needs 'A' Rating For Clean Up Or Get Community Involved!

It is amazing how some of Blacktown City Council's Parks and Reserves have certain rating for 'Clean up'.  The ones that get used a lot have a lower rating.

I understand how each community member is responsible in leaving public amenities in the same condition as they first saw it. Not all the time does it happen! Maybe Council need to rethink their strategy with higher demand required of 'Council Clean Up'. 

Here is a few things Council can do to assist the community members of North Mount Druitt, after the community notifies our Local Government Area Under NSW EPA Protocols

• Organise as soon as possible a clean up of the park
• Organise a community awareness program in the park, Council Officers with NSW EPA Officers
• Organise an Open Day Clean  Up - involving the community, in peak times, maybe with a small reward for work involved of issuing of community involvement certificates or even slight reduction in Council Rates!
  
  So, you can now see that an immediate cleanup is due or should I say, overdue! Let see if Council changes its strategy! As this is going to a storm-water drainage system, the cleaner the water, the cleaner the environment!