Increase in Domestic Waste Dumping in Reserves

Norfolk Island Regional Council is calling on the community to take pride in local public spaces, and consideration for those tasked with maintaining them, following a noticeable increase in dumping of domestic waste across several reserves.

Recent months have seen a surge in inappropriate waste disposal, including bulk quantities of nappies placed in public bins and household rubbish dumped at Headstone Reserve and Anson Bay Reserve.

These actions are not only unsightly but pose environmental and public health risks.

Public bins in reserves are designed for small, incidental waste generated during visits, not for ongoing household disposal. The ground and waste maintenance team has other responsibilities to manage and is not equipped or expected to handle this type of waste.

The team works hard to maintain clean and accessible reserves for everyone to enjoy with minimal resources, and this behaviour undermines those efforts.

What the community can do

Residents are reminded to:

• Dispose of domestic waste at the Waste Management Centre. If the centre is closed for that day, please plan ahead and dispose of waste on another day.
• Avoid using public bins for bulk or domestic waste.
• Report illegal dumping when it is observed.
  

A shared responsibility

Council is asking all residents to play their part in protecting our shared public spaces.

Affected areas will continue to be monitored, and compliance actions may be increased if the issue persists.

Council thanks the majority of the community who already take care of our shared public spaces.