Bayside Council's Sustainable Waste Management Strategy identifies litter and illegal dumping as priority focus areas. Recognising that both issues are driven by a range of operational, environmental and behavioural factors, Council has developed a dedicated prevention strategy to better understand the causes and implement targeted solutions.

Litter and illegal dumping impacts public spaces, waterways, wildlife and neighbourhood amenity. The strategy outlines how Council will work with the community to prevent litter and illegal dumping across Bayside.

The strategy shifts Council's focus towards prevention. It proposes a more targeted approach to identifying hotspots, improving monitoring and reporting, supporting education and community-led initiatives, strengthening enforcement activities, and trialling new infrastructure and behaviour change programs. The aim is to better understand the causes of litter and illegal dumping and focus resources where they can have the greatest impact.

Council uses different methods to identify hotspots.

For litter, Council undertakes Australian Litter Measure surveys, local litter checks and cigarette butt litter checks.

For illegal dumping, Council analyses community reports and operational data to identify locations where dumping occurs repeatedly.

Council will use litter surveys, local litter checks, community reports, operational data, hotspot mapping, CCTV surveillance and trend analysis to better understand where and why litter and illegal dumping occur.

Litter and illegal dumping do not occur evenly across Bayside. Focusing on hotspots allows Council to target resources where they can have the greatest impact.

Currently, hotspot locations are not publicly available. As part of the strategy, Council will provide more regular reporting on litter and illegal dumping trends and may share hotspot information where appropriate.

Council already uses mobile solar-powered CCTV camera trailers to deter, monitor and investigate illegal dumping.

The strategy includes relocating CCTV trailers to at least 18 hotspot locations each year to improve monitoring and deterrence.

Council's authorised officers investigate incidents, undertake inspections and respond to reports from the community. Enforcement actions may include warnings, clean-up notices, fines and other compliance measures.

Yes. Council may issue fines or take other compliance action where evidence of illegal dumping is identified.

Potential initiatives include community clean-up events, partnerships with schools and community groups, adopt-a-spot programs, education campaigns, stewardship activities and circular economy initiatives.

Council will investigate improvements such as additional street litter bins, cigarette butt bins, improved signage, QR code reporting tools and upgrades to waste infrastructure in priority locations.

Behavioural nudges are simple visual prompts that encourage people to dispose of waste correctly. Examples include pavement stencils, bin decals and signage.

Residents can participate in community clean-up activities, education programs and other litter prevention initiatives delivered by Council and community partners.

Litter is waste that has been dropped, thrown or left in the wrong place, typically smaller than a shopping bag in size.

Illegal dumping is the unlawful disposal of waste on land or in public places that are not authorised to receive it, typically anything larger than a shopping bag is considered illegal dumping.

Residents can access scheduled bulky waste collections, paid clean-up services, recycling drop-off events, recycling centres and other recycling and recovery programs promoted by Council. You can find more information about Council’s waste services here.

Illegal dumping can be reported through Council's Waste App, Council's website or Customer Service.

Council will assess the report and determine the appropriate response, which may include inspection, investigation, clean-up, surveillance or compliance action.

Council will provide updates on litter and illegal dumping trends, program outcomes and progress against the strategy through its communication and reporting channels.