Council warns of illegal after-hours charity donations

ILLEGAL dumping continues to plague Casey charity stores, despite Casey council working with police to combat the illegal activity.
The ongoing issue outside Hampton Park Salvation Army and charity stores in Lurline Street, Cranbourne, has prompted a strong message from the City of Casey.
Mayor Sam Aziz said putting donations at shop doors outside opening hours was illegal.
“Leaving goods outside a store when it is closed is considered dumping and those who do so face a fine of $303,” Cr Aziz said.
“Dumped items affect the amenity of the area and are a significant financial burden for charity stores.
“The items are often rummaged through and damaged, stolen, vandalised or ruined by the weather and are then unsuitable for sale or re-use.”
But the sad consequence of illegal dumping is the costs it imposes on charities.
Cr Aziz said: “It costs charities a large amount of money to clean up and dispose of these goods at landfill- which are funds that should be directed into their important community programs and services.”
Casey councillor Damien Rosario said the council had taken action at the Hampton Park Salvation Army store after receiving a substantial number of complaints, many of which were from the piles of ‘donations’ dumped during the Easter long weekend.
“Council used CCTV footage captured on Good Friday to identify and issue 11 infringement notices to people who dumped items at the store,” Cr Rosario said.
“Council will continue to work with the Hampton Park store, as well as others across Casey, to put a stop to rubbish dumping at charity stores.”
Fellow councillor Wayne Smith added that residents can dispose of unusual items at transfer stations, private waste collection or via the council’s free hard waste collection service.
“Each household is entitled to book two free hard waste collections of up to three cubic metres of hard waste per year,” Cr Smith said.