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Litter Management Policy

2.0

Purpose

This policy guides the management and prevention of litter in the City of Casey.

Definitions

Council

means Casey City Council, being a body corporate constituted as a municipal Council under the Local Government Act 1989

Councillors

means the individuals holding the office of a member of Casey City Council

Council officer

means the Chief Executive Officer and staff of Council appointed by the Chief Executive Officer.

Contract Supervisor

means the City of Casey’s Manager of Waste and Contaminated Land. The Contract Supervisor may delegate decisions under this policy but is ultimately responsible for their implementation.

MGB

means mobile garbage bin

Contractor

means the contractor appointed by council to collect waste from litter bins or contractor appointed to collect dumped rubbish and pick litter.

Scope

Litter management issues covered by this policy include:

  • Services provided to manage litter, such as litter bin infrastructure and collection;
  • Dumped or fugitive waste on parks, reserves, council land and local roads;
  • Dumped waste on nature strips;
  • Building waste and litter in sporting grounds.

The goal is to maintain the environment and minimise the impact of dumped rubbish and litter so that residents can enjoy a clean and pleasant neighbourhood. In a growth area such as City of Casey, maintaining the appearance of town centres and shopping strips, sporting grounds, parks, reserves and building sites, is a priority so residents can have pride in their community. Litter management is also necessary to protect the integrity of the local environment.

Context

This policy should be read in conjunction with Rethink Your Waste! City of Casey Waste Management Strategy 2016-2022 and Section 162 of the Local Government Act (1989), the Kerbside Collection Policy Berwick Village Commercial Waste Collection Policy and the Casey Sustainability Plan.

The Integrated Water Management Plan should also be used in reference to litter management.

Programs around litter management and education will be consistent with the Victorian government strategies and policies, which provides the statutory framework for litter prevention in Victoria, as well as training and toolkits to manage litter.

Policy

Collection of Litter

The City of Casey provides litter bins in public places as part of the Waste Management Strategy to provide a disposal option for residents and visitors and reduce litter going to stormwater.

Litter bins may be provided as a cage or as a free-standing receptacle.

Street Litter Bins

Litter bins are located in all town centres, shopping strips and near retail premises on Council maintained roads.  Placement of the bins are determined by Council, so they are  in suitable locations close to the source of litter production.

Bins may also be provided at bus shelters where generation of litter is considered a problem such as near a food outlet, milk bar, or school.

Park Litter Bins

Litter bins may be provided in selected high use parks where there is a likelihood of litter being dropped. Parks must meet one or more of the following criteria to be considered for the installation of a litter bin:

  • be within walking distance of possible origin of litter, such as a milk bar;
  • have barbeque facilities;
  • have a facility on site causing a gathering of residents (e.g. skate ramp).
    ‘Please take your rubbish home’ signage may be installed in parks to deter littering, especially where they do not meet the above criteria and are not eligible for a litter bin.

Dog Waste Bin & Bag Dispensers

In 2017 Council adopted the Dog Friendly Spaces Policy which provides for the development of designated dog friendly parks. As part of this commitment, all designated parks shall have a dog waste bin & bag dispenser installed to cater for owners to ‘clean up’ after their pets and keep the park and amenities clean. Council may consider installing dog waste bins and bag dispensers at other locations however, any new installation will be at the discretion of the Contract Supervisor.

Management of Litter bins

The frequency of waste collection from the litter bins will vary according to use, ranging from once per week to seven times a week . Collection frequency may vary seasonally and will be reviewed regularly by the Contract Supervisor. Collection will be undertaken by the Contractor.

Litter bins may be installed at appropriate locations at the request of the community, after an investigation of the site and at the discretion of the Contract Supervisor. Litter bins may be removed at any time from a public space at the discretion of the Contract Supervisor if the bin or bin cage has been vandalised or is under utilised.

Illegally dumped rubbish

Dumped rubbish is identified through pro-active investigations or through direct resident reports. Where possible the offender will be required to remove the dumped rubbish at their own expense.  If dumped rubbish is removed by Council it will be disposed of appropriately.

Where possible, material collected by Council as dumped rubbish will be recycled such as tyres, mattresses, metals and gas bottles.

Litter Prevention Officers will use a variety of investigation techniques, including covert methods, to observe and infringe people incorrectly disposing of waste. Penalties will be applied through Casey Local Law 2/2018 and the Environment Protection Act.

Non-compliant hard waste or material placed out for a Hard Waste collection without a booking or prior to the weekend  before a scheduled collection may be deemed as dumped rubbish and subject to enforcement action.

Street Sweeping

Street sweeping is undertaken by Council’s contractor and will occur on Council maintained residential streets on a six week rotational schedule. Other areas such as some commercial or industrial areas may be swept more frequently.

Building Site Litter

Enforcement officers visit building sites around the municipality to ensure requirements are being met. Builders in the City of Casey are expected to address sediment control, mud on roads and containing litter within their sites.

Litter at sporting grounds

The City of Casey offers free waste and recycling services to sporting clubs which utilise Council grounds under a tenancy agreement.

Most sporting grounds have bin enclosures to store the bins to minimise litter, and to avoid illegal dumping in bins.

As part of tenancy agreement, the club is responsible to removing litter from the ground following a game or match and to report any dumped rubbish or illegal dumping in bins or compounds.

Casual users of Council sporting facilities are charged a refundable bond and are expected to leave the facility in the same manner as they found it. If there is any litter or damage incurred, the cost of clean-up or repair is taken out of the bond.

Drainage

Council manages the drainage systems owned by the City of Casey. Activities include the cleaning, litter removal and management of Gross Pollutant Traps, Litter Baskets and Open Earth Drains. Please refer to the ‘Integrated Water Management Plan’ on the City of Casey web page for further information www.casey.vic.gov.au. 

Community Event Bins

The City of Casey will provide free waste and recycling services to support our local community events and celebrate its diversity, if criteria for community events are met. Event organisers are encouraged to leave the site clean and litter free following an event. The Contract Supervisor has the final say on what services will be provided including the number of bins to be allocated to a community event.

Administrative Updates

It is recognised that, from time to time, circumstances may change leading to the need for minor administrative changes to this document.  Where an update does not materially alter this document, such a change may be made administratively.  Examples include a change to the name of a Council department, a change to the name of a Federal or State Government department, and a minor update to legislation which does not have a material impact.  However, any change or update which materially alters this document must be by resolution of Council.

Review

The next review of this document is scheduled for completion by 31 December 2022.

 

 

 

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