A “change in approach” is needed to deal with fly-tipping after it was revealed that Portadown had six times the number of incidents compared with neighbouring Banbridge.
As figures were revealed for across the borough at ABC Council’s last Environmental Services Committee, it was described as “grossly unfair” to expect ratepayers to continue to pick up the tab.
DUP councillor Kyle Moutray flagged the issue as one that “should alarm everyone in this chamber”.
He was speaking at the full September sitting of ABC Council, referencing details provided to the Environmental Services Committee.
A report to that committee revealed that there had been over 700 complaints of fly-tipping received between July 1, 2023 and July 31, 2025.
There were 52 in Banbridge, 181 in Armagh, 183 in Lurgan, and the lion’s share — 315 — in Portadown.
Cllr Moutray, while not a member of the Environmental Services Committee, used the full council meeting as a platform to raise his concerns, pointing out that “the number of reported incidents has increased right across the borough”.
He focused on the disparity between Portadown and Banbridge.
“What stands out to me is the scale of the issue in Portadown specifically, with 315 complaints logged, compared with just 52 in Banbridge. That’s six times more reports in Portadown than in Banbridge, a similar-sized town. I think that speaks volumes of where we’re at,” said Cllr Moutray.
Turning to how to move forward, the DUP representative added: “It’s grossly unfair that our ratepayers continue to foot the bill for the actions of those who show no respect for local communities and the communities they live in.
“I do acknowledge that council is considering a number of actions in relation to this and I welcome that. I hope we have progress on that front.
“There needs to be clear, open and honest dialogue with all parties involved and, where necessary, appropriate enforcement measures need to take place.
“If tenants won’t take responsibility, then the landlords and agencies who profit from these properties should. I think that’s a common-sense position and I hope we can find commonality on that.
“This situation has been unacceptable for far too long and a change in approach is well overdue. I hope that we can continue to explore our full range of powers on this and I look forward to further updates in due course.”
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