Bernard Manton, Mullumbimby
Byron Council is currently seeking feedback on tackling the illegal dumping problem but isn’t the solution obvious? Make it free to dispose of household waste.
Charging people to get rid of what they already don’t want only places a senseless obstacle in the way of responsible rubbish disposal.
Yes, yes, you can dump your rubbish once a year free of charge but only if you are the sole occupant of a legal dwelling, which immediately eliminates a significant proportion of the Shire from multiple occupancies and community titles down to hinterland banana sheds and a great many in between.
For those who do qualify does the council expect people to have to pile up their additional or bulky rubbish for 12 months in order to receive the privilege of not being charged through the nose to do the right thing?
Is the council worried that if the charge associated with dumping waste is removed then they will be overcome with a massive influx of domestic refuse? And if that were the result then wouldn’t this be the best way to prevent illegal dumping?
Many first world countries have waste-processing centres that on-cycle waste at no cost to the public. I wonder why Australia is taking so long to get on board with this.
Or maybe I am wrong. Maybe we should be installing rubbish bins in the street that don’t open until you put a dollar in the slot…
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
