A range of health and compliance initiatives are empowering residents to maintain the Bundaberg Region’s safe, healthy and friendly lifestyle.
Building on last year’s successful dog registration and Fix it at the Fence campaigns, Bundaberg Regional Council will focus on improved noise complaint management, microchipping pets and reducing instances of illegal dumping in 2022-23.
Health, Compliance and Enforcement portfolio spokesperson Cr May Mitchell said residents had been given the tools to self-manage smaller matters through Fix it at the Fence, allowing staff to focus on investigations and strategic campaigns.
“We’ve introduced Fix it at the Fence which encourages people to talk to their neighbour first before reporting minor matters, like barking dogs and overhanging trees,” Cr Mitchell said.
“What we’ve seen as a result is that matters are being resolved more quickly and relationships between neighbours are improving because they have an opportunity to address the issue before being ‘reported’.
“Having many of these matters dealt with without Council involvement means staff time is freed up to investigate complex and urgent complaints.”
One such focus is an improvement to Council’s barking dog and noise complaint management process with Council officers now able to utilise sound level meters to help verify and validate requests.
Following community consultation which identified priority locations, dog parks will also be constructed throughout the region and a community campaign will encourage residents to microchip their pets.
Through the State Government’s Local Government Illegal Dumping Partnership Program, Cr Mitchell said Council would also continue its commitment to keeping the local environment clean and safe.
The program funds two illegal dumping officers who will develop and implement new initiatives to reduce and prevent illegal dumping, including awareness, behaviour change, education and enforcement.
Cr Mitchell said, there was no excuse for littering and illegal dumping, especially in a region as environmentally significant as Bundaberg.
“We will be focused on behaviour change and prevention to reduce the ongoing financial impacts of cleaning up illegal dumping, protect our environment, and encourage practices that will continue to improve our region for the future.”
The Think Food Safe campaign is also continuing with a more than 85 per cent take up by businesses.
Council charge too much to dispose of large rubbish.
I would never dump rubbish, but I do often find it hard to get rid of some rubbish now that I am old and I do not have access to a trailer.
Council could do more.
1. Provide a green bin, emptied monthly.
2. Have a twice yearly kerbside hard rubbish collection.