"Absurd" $312 fine for common bin act
Aussies have been warned to not leave out their bins for too long unless they want to cop a $312 fine.
An Adelaide resident was stunned after they received a "final warning" letter from their local council, stating it had received complaints over their bins.
“How is ‘$312’ justified for leaving a bin out too long on a quiet back road,” the confused resident wrote on Reddit.
They also said the penalty was "absurd", however, council said the resident was not fined.
Hadi Jafari, another local from Kilburn, said he was "really surprised" about the cost.
“$300 for a fine is really hard for people to afford, it is really a lot of money,” he told The Advertiser.
He added that his family would struggle to pay the amount if they were fined over the common act.
“We would probably have to repay it over time, I don’t think we could pay it at once so that is not good.”
Under Port Adelaide Enfield Council’s waste management by-laws, bins have to be placed out after 4pm the night before rubbish collection and taken back in by midnight the day after.
Council also clarified that it has only issued four fines in the last five years.
Residents caught in the common act first receive a reminder letter that their bins have been reported to council.
“However as a final resort expiations may be issued,” council said in a statement.
The council said it receives 200 complaints annually in relation to bins being left on the street, however the number of warning letters issued has not been disclosed.
Port Adelaide Enfield Council noted other councils also have bylaws in place regarding bin collection.
“This is because when people do not remove their bins from footpaths, it can result in impediments to people being able to use the footpath for walking, people with prams, people in wheelchairs, incorrect use of bins and contamination, and it can also impact vehicle and emergency access on streets.”
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