Illegal dumping is a prevalent issue in many metropolitan areas worldwide, bringing numerous risks to various aspects of a community. It causes significant damage to the environment, increases the development of diseases and infections, and diverts taxpayer funds that can be allocated to more essential services.
Sydney, Australia, is no stranger to rampant unauthorised dumping in various parts of the city. This multi-faceted issue has polluted waterways and made neighbourhoods unsightly and dangerous for many residents and visitors.
But even if it’s still a serious problem in 2024, some councils in the city have been focused on fighting dumping in their areas. This includes Canterbury-Bankstown, located southwest of Central Sydney CBD. The Council has become aggressive in recent years, investing in solutions that would fend off those who would attempt to do the illegal act.
Canterbury-Bankstown’s Dumping Problems
The Canterbury-Bankstown Council has been fighting dumping for decades, dealing with around 1400 tonnes of unlawful dumping of household rubbish each year. This results in the city allocating a portion of its budget to take care of the dumped rubbish on streets, sidewalks, and bushlands, which leaves less allocation to other community initiatives.
There are various hotspots in Canterbury-Bankstown where dumping has been a serious problem for many years. For instance, Dispensary Lane, which runs from Campsie St. to North Parade, has been a minefield for illegal dumping because of low visibility and large patches of bare soil.
North Parade itself is another known hotspot in the Campsie area for illegal dumping, especially on the bushes beside the rail track. The Council has recorded at least 5 unauthorised dumping cases per month in this area, pushing the authorities to be more stringent in their efforts to deter dumpsters and make the streets cleaner.
What is the City Council Doing?
With 98% of residents wanting to live in a green city and have illegal dumpers caught, the Canterbury-Bankstown council has introduced several programs to help deter unauthorised dumping in various priority areas.
Several beautification projects have been initiated throughout the city, including the North Parade. This saw dumped rubbish and abandoned vehicles removed from the area while overgrown bushes and trees were cleared and trimmed. Doing this helped make the area more refreshing to the eyes of residents and visitors alike.
The Council also launched the “Eyes On It” program in 2019 to target the city’s rampant illegal dumping practices. This approach sends a message to dumpers, letting them know that they are being watched through various means, including the 24/7 solar CCTV cameras installed in different areas of the city.
The Power of Security Cameras for Dumping Deterrence
City Council officials will not always be in every dumping hotspot within city limits. Investing in high-quality cameras has been one of the city’s most effective solutions in eliminating illegal dumping in numerous priority areas. Spectur Australia’s 4G Solar Security Camera has significantly helped with the city’s dumping deterrence progress.
The crucial role of installing cameras in various hotspots has played a huge part in catching two dumpsters in Chester Hill, located northwest of the council area. On two separate occasions, the two individuals were caught illegally dumping expired food products in front of a Salvation Army Store in Priam St.
In February, the driver left 40 boxes of snacks in front of the store, which resulted in a $2000 fine. He and a friend came back last May to discard 60 boxes of expired yoghurt dips, resulting in a $15000 fine.
The Spectur surveillance camera installed within the vicinity has helped the Council quickly identify the suspects and have them fined for the illegal action. This aids the city’s Eyes On It program, reminding dumpsters that they are being watched and their actions will not be tolerated.
The Long-Term Solution with CCTV Cameras
Investing in cameras might look like one of the simplest solutions to deter dumping. Still, its effectiveness in eliminating illegal dumping in the city can’t be understated. After installing cameras in various priority areas throughout the Council, officials saw a 61% decline in unauthorised dumping, making streets and alleyways safer and more sustainable moving forward.
This also helped increase the usage of the city’s booked clean-ups on several hotspots, further mitigating illegal dumping practices.
Mayor Bilal El-Hayek made it clear that the Council will have zero tolerance for those caught dumping their rubbish in illegal spots, and the cameras will play a huge role in the city’s effort to curb dumping.
The cameras installed in the city last year, funded through a $77000 grant from the NSW Environment Protection Authority, are a huge step toward the city’s efforts to double down on those cutting corners in managing their waste. With the Council dedicated to eliminating dumping in the city in the long run, more 24/7 CCTV cameras may be installed throughout the city to ensure that dumping will have no place in Canterbury-Bankstown.
Conclusion
As illegal dumping continues to become an issue in numerous Australian metropolitan areas, installing Spectur 24/7 cameras is one of the most effective ways to deter people from illegally dumping waste products.
Spectur’s modern security camera solutions provide substantial benefits in preventing illegal activities, making them a worthwhile investment for public and private institutions. They allow for continuous monitoring of high-risk areas, significant increase in detection of offenders, and enables authorities to respond quickly to illegal dumping cases.
Our solar-powered security cameras have AI-enabled surveillance features that enable authorities to automatically detect and quickly respond to illegal dumping practices. They also have a built-in floodlight and messaging sirens that blast off when vehicles or individuals are detected doing illegal stuff. This will usually make the offender flee right away and provide a clear record of the incident.
If you are looking for the best solar security camera in Australia to mirror Canterbury-Bankstown’s success in curbing illegal dumping or to deter theft, vandalism, and other property-related crimes, then Spectur AU is for you. With over a decade of market presence, we have provided countless projects with autonomous and reliable security solutions that reduces risks associated to crime and safety.
If you have inquiries about our products and services, speak with one of our specialists by calling 1300 802 960 or visiting www.spectur.com.au/contact-us.
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