Since 2012, North East Waste in partnership with the NSW Environmental Protection Agency, has facilitated a regional illegal dumping program across its 7 participating Councils of Ballina Shire, Byron Shire, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed Shire.
This partnership has continued to provide resources, support and training to member councils to assist them in the prevention, surveillance and investigation of illegal dumping and to raise the awareness and participation of the community in reporting dumping.
Since 2016/17 there has been significant improvement in illegal dumping data collection and reporting assisted by Clean Up and Prevention’ (CUAP) grant funding through the EPA’s Waste Less Recycle More Initiative.
In 2017-18 across the north coast region
- 1,958 illegal dumping incidences were reported including 61 asbestos dumping incidents
- 436 tonnes of illegally dumped material was cleaned up and disposed of
- The estimated cost to Councils and the community to clean up dumped waste was $540,000
- 63% of incidents were of household general waste, furniture, carpets, clothing and whitegoods dumped on kerbsides
North East Waste and member Councils are committed to stamping out illegal dumping across the region through improved intervention and enforcement strategies, the implementation of targeted education and awareness programs and continuing to gather and evaluate data to review progress and inform future direction.