New campaign to fight illegal dumping

MONEY is actively being sourced to fund a new anti- dumping campaign in Sligo.

Councillor Gino O’Boyle asked the Council to install CCTV cameras at Rathbraughan Park and Woodlands Ballytivnan in a bid to clamp down on the illegal dumping there.

The Council official responsible, Director of Services Tom Kilfeather told Cllr O’Boyle that the vacant position of a litter warden was causing difficulties despite the best efforts of their Waste Enforcement Officers and other Council staff.

He admitted that illegal dumping was causing “significant costs” to the Council around the city and county.

In response to Cllr O’Boyle’s motion about CCTV cameras, Mr Kilfeather said that they were currently working on buying CCTV cameras.

Apart from that, he also highlighted a commitment made by the current Government under their Programme for Government to tackle illegal dumping.

In accordance with this, Minister for Environment Denis Naughten notified all local authorities two weeks ago about a ¤ 650,000 fund to develop deterrents to discourage people from dumping.

The Anti- Dumping initiative will work with the Council on projects to identify high risk areas, develop enforcement responses and carry out clean- up operations.

The Council intends applying for some of this funding. Cllr O’Boyle also called on the Council to erect illegal dumping signs along the river from Millbrook Apartments in Riverside to the new bridge and clear the river of all waste.

The Council agreed to consider signs at the river but said clearing the Garavogue of all waste was “beyond the resources of the Council.”

They will consider a project at the Garavogue under the new Anti- Dumping Initiative however.