By Alesha Capone
Point Cook has been named Wyndham’s hotspot for litter reports, as the state Environment Protection Authority warns residents to try to avoid dodgy skip-bin hire businesses.
Figures from Wyndham council show that in the past financial year the council received 635 reports about litter in Point Cook (out of a total 3423 reports).
The council also received 608 reports of litter in Werribee, 546 in Tarneit, 532 in Hoppers Crossing, 375 reports in Truganina, 197 in Wyndham Vale and 162 reports in Williams Landing.
As well, there were 108 litter reports in Manor Lakes, 67 in Mount Cottrell, 65 in Werribee South, 57 in Laverton North and 53 in Little River.
In contrast, the council received just 18 reports of litter overall in the areas of Mambourin, Laverton, Quandong, Eynesbury and Balliang.
A council spokesman said the litter reports covered everything from food wrappers to dumped rubbish such as abandoned furniture.
EPA Victoria recently named Wyndham as a “hotspot” for illegal dumping.
It has launched a campaign, including an animated online video, to warn people about “unscrupulous skip bin operators” who dump the rubbish from clients at public land, national parks, farmland, industrial sites and warehouses, rather than disposing of it lawfully.
The campaign includes a guide for customers looking to hire skip bin companies, advising what questions they should ask businesses.
The questions include asking for proof or a receipt that their waste will be taken to licensed or permitted facility; and whether the company is a member of any waste or industry associations.
Contact the EPA’s 24-hour hotline 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842) or visit www.epa.vic.gov.au/your-environment/waste/hiring-skip-bins for information.
