Speedway racing champion Kiona Sunerton, rugby league players Patrick Jurd (Cessnock Goannas) and Brock Gilmour (Kurri Kurri Bulldogs), and Leanne Polglase from the Bulldogs Ladies League Tag team wlll be the faces of the Better Not Mess With Cessnock campaign.

Illegal dumping is the disposal of waste in areas other than approved management facilities and is a huge problem in the Cessnock Local Government Area, with 377 incidents recorded last year alone.

Over the next 12 months, you will see Kiona on the back of local buses, Leanne, Brock and Patrick on councils garbage trucks, ads in the Cessnock Advertiser and a social media campaign on Councils Facebook page.

The year-long promotion was made possible with a $102,118 grant from the Environment Protection Authority.

Cessnock mayor Bob Pynsent commended the sportspeople for being part of the battle against illegal dumping and hopes locals take note of the message.

There is absolutely no excuse to mess with Cessnock and I can assure people that the fines are far worse than the fees at the Cessnock Waste Management Centre, Cr Pynsent said.

Kiona Sunerton said she is proud to be part of this campaign and believes everyone has a responsibility to do the right thing when it comes to our environment.

I was born and bred here and now Im raising my kids here, so the area is close to my heart. We need to work together to ensure our region remains beautiful for locals and visitors alike, she said.

Illegal dumping can be reported by calling 131 555 or online at ridonline.epa.nsw.gov.au.