A Melton South resident is kicking up a stink over rubbish dumped on the side of the road just metres from the local tip.
A truckload of building waste left on the side of Ferris Road last week is the most recent incident of what she says is a regular occurrence.
Landowner Amanda Chrystal said she’d had enough.
“We’re sick of people dumping stuff on our doorstep,” she said.
“The number of people who dump rubbish on Ferris and Alfred roads is a disgrace and disrespectful to people who live here.
“That’s not to mention the strings, bags and polystyrene boxes I have to keep removing from my horse’s paddock because it’s being blown in from the street.”
Ms Chrystal said mattresses, building cut-offs, furniture, old car seats, car tyres and electrical packaging were regularly dumped on the side of the road outside her property.
“Once a car was dumped up the road and set alight,” she said.
“Fire services came and put out the flames but the burnt-out car sat there for ages.”
Ms Chrystal said she believed the culprits littered because of hefty disposal fees at the tip.
“[But] there is no excuse for those who dump,” she said.
“And there’s no excuse for council to leave it there.
“We don’t pay our rates to have rubbish sit out the front.
“Council has a responsibility to look after our environment.”
Melton Recycling Facility on Ferris Road charges $20 for a car or station wagon load of rubbish or up to $80 for a large, heaped trailer.
It costs $120 to dispose of mattresses, $30 for bulk rubbish and $90 for rock and rubble.
Residents receive two vouchers a year to help with the cost of rubbish disposal.
Anyone charged with a littering offence can cop fines of up to $8800.
A Melton council spokesman said: “The council takes littering seriously as the mindset of littering often leads to dumping behaviours, environmental and fire hazards.
“Offenders may be summonsed to appear in court.”
Melton council is creating a litter strategy, co-ordinated by its litter prevention and education officer, that will include education, prosecution and a review of litter bin locations and other litter receptacles.
