Illegal Dumping
What is illegal dumping?
Illegal dumping is the unlawful deposit of waste larger than litter onto land. It includes waste materials that have been dumped, tipped or otherwise deposited onto private or public land where no licence or approval exists to accept such waste.
What if I witness illegal dumping?
If you come across illegal dumping, report it to Greater Hume Council Customer Services. Do not alter the site in any way.
Give your contact details and location of the dumping to our Customer Service officers and our Compliance Team will contact you. Confidentiality is assured.
What fines apply to illegal dumping?
From 29 August 2014 the NSW Government introduced harsher penalties for illegal dumping:
- Depositing waste not at a Lawful Facility has been increased to $2000 for individuals and $4000 for a corporation.
- Most other waste dumping offences have increased from $750 and $1500 up to $4000 for individuals and $8000 for a corporation.
- Waterway pollution fines have increased from $750 to $4000 for individuals and $8000 for a corporation.
Know your responsibilities
The
Department of Environment and Climate Change has produced a range of resources for waste generators, whether they be waste generators within the home or within various types of industry to assist in the correct handling, removal, resource recovery and disposal options of waste material.
Report litter from a vehicle
Roadside litter is one of the most unnecessary and preventable environmental problems. Reporting littering from vehicles helps to raise awareness, reduce clean-up costs and keep NSW clean.
For the first time in NSW, a new reporting system enables the issuing of a penalty notice based on a public report of littering from a motor vehicle.
Reports must be made using either the
new portal on the EPA website, or the upgraded 'Report to EPA' mobile app downloadable
here from February 1 2015.
All reports will undergo a verification process before a fine is issued, and reporters may need to provide evidence in court.
Motorists are advised not to use mobile phones illegally, or act dangerously to catch someone in the act.
Reports need to be made within 14 days of the incident and must include a range of information including car registration and description, date, time, location and the type of littered item where possible.
Fines for littering from a vehicle range from $250 for an individual, $500 for a corporation, to $900 for aggravated littering such as lit cigarette butts during extreme conditions.