The City of Canterbury Bankstown had a 61 per cent reduction in illegal dumping offences in priority areas, with the support of leading solution provider Spectur.
Illegal dumping is a nationwide, multi-million-dollar issue, and local councils are usually the ones left footing the bill to clean it up.
As part of its work to prevent illegal dumping and keep the streets clean and safe, the City of Canterbury Bankstown Council has undertaken restoration projects on North Parade and Dispensary Lane at Campsie.
Flanked by trees and buildings, Dispensary Lane’s low visibility meant that it was an illegal dumping hotspot, and Council was eager to prevent further offences and restore the lane to a welcoming space.
After cleaning up any dumped waste, workers laid plants and mulch beneath the trees to beautify the lane and potentially deter dumpers.
Overgrown and out of the way, North Parade was also a hotspot for dumping, with piles of rubbish and even abandoned cars scattered along it. Council estimated that as many as five illegal dumping offences occurred there every month.
A clean-up project cleared away the abandoned vehicles and rubbish, trimmed back the trees and overgrown bushes, and laid down fresh mulch, restoring visibility and bringing some light back to the lane. To deter continued dumping, Council installed security cameras and signage to dissuade offenders and to catch those who continue to do the wrong thing.
The restoration was made possible by a $77,000 Illegal Dumping Prevention grant from the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority.
Additionally, Council has established dedicated Illegal Dumping Prevention Officers to roll out education campaigns to residents and businesses on neighbouring streets to help them better manage their waste.
Spectur’s security systems have proven to be an effective anti-crime measure, after helping Council to prosecute repeat illegal dumping offenders.
In February 2024, Spectur’s cameras recorded two men dumping expired food goods outside a Salvation Army charity store in Western Sydney. Thanks to the surveillance footage, Council was able to investigate and issue the offending driver a $2,000 fine for illegal waste dumping.
When the driver returned in May and dumped more expired food waste at the same store, Spectur’s surveillance helped ensure that he was fined with a further $15,000 for the repeat offence.
Spectur’s innovative security solutions not only help to reduce anti-social crime like illegal dumping, graffiti and property damage, but also provide peace of mind to property managers, councils and the community.
Spectur provides a range of flexible, programmable, and future-proofed security technologies, including solar-powered and portable options.
For more information, visit spectur.com.au/security-surveillance-deterrence
