We’re leveraging technology, data and innovation to tackle illegal rubbish dumping outside a North Geelong charity shop.
Partnering with InnerVision Engineering Services, we’ve installed a cutting-edge solution using computer vision, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning at the Salvation Army store on Sharon Court.
As a result, the City has issued 26 infringements for dumping at this known high-volume dumping site since January, to the value of $20,000.
This semi-autonomous system has dramatically reduced the manual workload for staff, saving more than 180 hours a year by quickly detecting unlawful dumping incidents in CCTV footage.
Traditional surveillance methods at this site have been inefficient, seeing staff spend hours manually reviewing footage to identify offenders.
While staff intervention is still required to review and verify an incident, the process has been significantly streamlined, enabling faster cleanup and identification of offenders. This efficiency allows quicker enforcement action for offenders that illegally dump rubbish at this site.
Fines for littering start at $322 if issued on the spot and extend up to $9,900 when imposed by a court.
Mayor Trent Sullivan
Illegal dumping of rubbish outside charity shops is an ongoing issue for the City and charities, costing thousands to clean up and dispose of, and draining resources that could be better spent on community programs and services.
By utilising a more effective and data-driven technology for this North Geelong charity shop, we are promoting a cleaner and healthier urban environment, ensuring our resources are used more effectively and allowing this store to focus on supporting those in need.
Councillor Peter Murrihy, chair of the Environment and Circular Economy
Dumped rubbish is a rising problem for many councils.
People who dump rubbish in Greater Geelong are costing ratepayers more than $1 million per year.
If you spot dumping in progress or dumped rubbish, you can report this to the City online or by calling 5272 5272.
Don’t forget, we offer two free hard waste collections to all homes each year and waste can also be dropped off at our resource recovery centres at Douro Street, North Geelong and Becks Road, Drysdale.
You can book a hard waste or mattress collection or report illegally dumped rubbish or goods online.