Cllr Quigley along with members of the local community took action on the dumping issue.
The community of Harryville has taken a stand against environmental degradation as a local councillor alongside The Carson Project, a local volunteer group, tackled a scourge of illegal dumping of household waste in the area, on Wednesday (18th September).
After enduring weeks of rising complaints about health hazards posed by unattended waste, Councillor Rodney Quigley took the initiative alongside volunteer from the community to restore cleanliness to two significantly affected areas.
One of the cleared sites, located on private property near Harryville bridge, has been a recurrent hotspot for fly-tipping, drawing ire from residents due to its recurring nature.
The cleanup operation saw not only the efforts of dedicated volunteers but also the active participation of council enforcement officers, who were on hand to assist in the removal of the rubbish.
Local Councillor Rodney Quigley, who has been closely involved in addressing the issue, expressed his gratitude towards all involved.
"The situation had reached a point where immediate action was necessary," Quigley stated. "The rubbish was not only an eyesore but a genuine health concern due to its content and the duration it had been left unattended."
Quigley also revealed that measures are being intensified to curb this illegal activity.
"We've received assurances from the council's enforcement and environmental health departments that they will ramp up surveillance and enforcement in these areas. Those caught fly-tipping will face fixed penalties," he warned.
In addition to the Harryville site, volunteers addressed another environmental concern in the Harryville area, where two Housing Executive properties had become overwhelmed with bags of household waste.
This separate issue was also tackled during the cleanup, with subsequent discussions planned with the Housing Executive to prevent future occurrences.
The efforts of the day were significantly bolstered by community members Pat and Jean Rainey, who provided their trailer for the removal of waste. "Their contribution was invaluable," Quigley added, emphasising the community spirit that underpinned the day's achievements.
The councillor urged residents to stay vigilant and report any further incidents of fly-tipping to either himself or directly to the council's environmental health team, signaling an ongoing battle against illegal waste disposal in Ballymena.
This proactive stance by Cllr Quigley, and the Carson Project, with the support from local authorities highlight a growing intolerance for environmental neglect, and careless actions from a small minority of the local community.