RESIDENTS are being warned they face significant penalties for dumping unwanted goods on the footpath without organising for them to be collected by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.
Matt Rogers, the council’s director of development and environment services, said there appeared to be an increasing problem with residents dumping rubbish on the footpath in front of their homes with the expectation it would eventually be removed by council.
He said the practice amounted to little more than illegal dumping and was becoming a real eyesore in some parts of the region.
Mr Rogers said council staff would be taking steps to address the problem and warned those people responsible that they faced fines of up to $1500 for illegal dumping.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council offers a bulky goods kerbside collection for all residents currently receiving a domestic waste collection service.
Council provides one general waste pick-up service for free on request each calendar year, but residents can order additional services at a cost of $32 per pick-up.
“It is essential that residents phone council’s waste contractor on 1300 787 223 prior to 3pm on a Friday to arrange for rubbish to be collected before putting it out,” a council spokesman said.
“Pick-ups occur each week between Monday and Wednesday.
“Household rubbish accepted as part of the service includes furniture, bedding, whitegoods, electrical appliances and any other items that can be easily lifted by two people.
“The service does not cater for builders’ waste, bulk motor vehicle parts, green waste, household garbage, tyres, industrial or farm waste.”
The bulky goods kerbside collection is currently being reviewed as part of a wider review of council’s waste services collection contract.
