Illegal dumping has become a major concern on the Sunshine Coast with a continual amount of garbage being left in the woods, and the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has come up with a new tool to combat the problem.
Everything from household and construction waste to appliances and furniture is being dumped and left to deteriorate. In an attempt to tackle the problem, the SCRD launched its illegal dump site map last month, an on-line initiative created to deter illegal dumping.
More than 200 dumpsites throughout the Coast have been mapped and reported with the help of community members. The inventory of dumpsites was created to identify the extent of the problem and also to generate a map to be used by groups and individuals to co-ordinate site clean-ups. By clicking on areas of the map, details of dump locations, material descriptions and, in some instances, photographs of garbage, can be viewed. The sites are also classified into small, medium and large categories.
Although the mapping system is new, solid waste management co-ordinator Cathy Kenny said it has already been well received.
"We are just in the beginning stages of using the on-line system for tracking; however, when we advertised on the SCRD bulletin board and website, there was a good response, including a number of phone callsand some residents who dropped in to show us locations on their own maps and pictures, too," said Kenny.
The map initiative is a continuation of the SCRD's established illegal dumpsite tracking and part of an overall strategy to curb illegal dumping. Other strategic elements include the reporting of illegal dumpsites and regulation and enforcement.
The matter of enforcement has been a continual challenge, however. While laws are in place prohibiting illegal dumping, a perpetrator must be caught in the act or proven to have broken the law.
Conservation officer Dean Miller said if personal information is found in illegally-dumped garbage, it's a slam dunk investigation.
"We'll pursue that person whether they're living on or off Coast and issue them a violation ticket," said Miller.
Since that is not always the case, investigations can be hard to follow up, Miller said.
When asked if the new mapping system has helped deter illegal dumping, Miller said he couldn't comment, but agreed it will be good tool in the future.
The SCRD plans to extend its promotion of the mapping system and work with community groups to co-ordinate site clean-ups and is working towards a new bylaw enforcement system that allows local government authorities to issue penalties to dumpers without actually catching them in the act.
