Surveillance cameras will be placed at a number of illegal dumping hot-spots around the Hunter Region.
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The Department of Primary Industries – Lands and the Hunter/Central Coast Regional Illegal Dumping (RID) Squad will be installing the cameras on Crown land to assist in catching the culprits.
Parliamentary secretary for the Hunter and Central Coast, Scot Macdonald visited a dumping hot spot near Kurri Kurri on Tuesday morning and was shocked by what he saw.
Asbestos, car parts and furniture was among the rubbish dumped there, along with everyday household waste.
“It really is disgraceful behavior by these criminals,” Mr Macdonald said.
“This is a scourge on the community, and a terrible way to treat the environment.
“The installation of surveillance cameras on Crown land will assist the agencies in gathering evidence against illegal dumpers.
“Illegal dumping can cause serious environmental pollution and can be a risk to human health.
“It can impact local amenity as well as create a significant clean-up cost to the community.”
The Department of Primary Industries – Lands has coordinated more than $900,000 worth of illegal dumping clean-up projects in the Hunter region so far this financial year.
Bollard-and-cable gates have been installed at the entry point to many illegal dumping hot spots around the area.
The RID Squad – which encompasses 10 council areas on the Hunter and Central Coast – is working hard to catch dumpers, having issued more than $230,000 worth of tickets this year.
On-the-spot fines start at $2000 and for more serious matters, such as commercial or large scale dumping, can be as high as to $250,000 for individuals and $1 million for companies.
“Combating illegal dumping is a shared responsibility and the community can play an important role in providing information about illegal dumping activities,” Mr Macdonald said.
Anyone with information can call the Environment Line on 131 555 or DPI Lands on 1300 886 235.