chevron-rightcancelexternal-link

Illegal Dumping in Darlinghurst

Decision Maker: Council

Decision status: Recommendations Determined

Decision:

Moved by Councillor Forster, seconded by Councillor Chung -

It is resolved that:

(A)      Council note:

(i)         Cleansing Operations is among the City’s largest and most complex frontline services with approximately 230 staff operating across three depots servicing more than 700,000 runs across the local government area each year;

(ii)        the service includes servicing city streets and civic spaces, street litter bins and removing illegal dumps (non-booked) and hazardous waste;

(iii)      service levels across the local government area are designed to balance service outcomes against available resources, however these service levels are flexible and can be adjusted based on factors including spikes or changes in demand, for example, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic;

(iv)      between January and November 2019, the City received 15,740 reports of illegal dumping, which increased 62 per cent to 25,537 reports between January and November 2020;

(v)       a further breakdown of the City’s data by village shows illegal dumping in areas with more transient populations in east Sydney, Redfern and Glebe accounting for the majority of complaints;

(vi)      to combat illegal dumping the City’s Waste Education team works and engages with the community on more responsible and sustainable waste practices;

(vii)     the City also offers a free ‘book a pick-up’ service, which provides residents with an unlimited number of pick-ups and removal of bulky household waste items. Demand for this service increased by 31 per cent in 2020;

(viii)    the City also has multiple rapid response crews operating in each area to immediately respond to high priority or urgent requests. These requests are generally closed off within 24 hours;

(ix)      over the past few weeks my office has received an increasing number of complaints about illegal dumping in the Darlinghurst area with some reports of waste remaining on the street for multiple weeks; and

(x)       my office has also received feedback that illegally dumped rubbish is only dealt with once it has been reported by residents and that the City could be more proactive in addressing this issue; and

(B)      the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)         increase illegal dumping patrols in the Darlinghurst area and identify illegal dumping hotspots; and

(ii)        investigate and identify additional proactive actions that the City can implement to ensure illegal dumping across the local government area can be minimised and is dealt with in a timely manner.

Carried unanimously.

S129260

Report author: Erin Cashman

Publication date: 09/08/2021

Date of decision: 09/08/2021

Decided at meeting: 09/08/2021 - Council

Accompanying Documents: