A new video campaign highlighting the problem of the illegal dumping of demolition waste has been filmed in the Cessnock area.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The video features Regional Illegal Dumping (RID) Squad investigator Jason Robbs, who took the film crew to a local site that experiences a high number of dumping incidents.
"We took a look at a site on Mindaribba Land Council land where 19 loads of demolition waste was dumped illegally last year," Mr Robbs said.
"We have investigators right around the region, and we investigate medium to high-level illegal dumping incidents in the Hunter and Central Coast."
The video highlights the contractors that are doing the wrong thing, with the take-home message that home renovators and builders should always ask for a tip receipt when employing a contractor to remove demolition waste.
The video was produced as part of the Small Acts Big Change program, an initiative funded under the waste levy.
Cessnock mayor Bob Pynsent said the community all have a role to play when it comes to reducing illegal dumping.
"Small Acts Big Change is all about making small changes in our lives that contribute to big change when it comes to waste," he said.
"Illegal dumping is an ongoing problem in our region, and we all have a role to play in ending it."
Meanwhile, council resolved at its August 19 to investigate an external source of funding to assist the current work of the RID Squad in cleaning up waste illegally dumped on council-owned land; and that general manager speaks to Crown Land and the Forestry Department to ask for assistance in cleaning up rubbish on their land.
Councillor Ian Olsen, who tabled the issue in a notice of motion, said the problem areas were "absolutely disgusting".
"There's burnt out cars, old lounges, mattresses, asbestos.
"We need to get rid of it. Some of that rubbish has been there for years," he said.
"While there's rubbish there, people will think it's OK to dump more rubbish there.
"We need to get it cleaned up for the people who use the bush and respect it."
The RID Squad can be contacted on 131 555, or reports can be submitted online at https://ridonline.epa.nsw.gov.au.
RELATED CONTENT
Krystal Sellars
Krystal Sellars is the Senior Journalist at the Cessnock Advertiser. Born and raised in Cessnock, she started her journalism career at the Advertiser in 2006 after completing a Bachelor of Communication at the University of Newcastle. Contact her on krystal.sellars@cessnockadvertiser.com.au.
Krystal Sellars is the Senior Journalist at the Cessnock Advertiser. Born and raised in Cessnock, she started her journalism career at the Advertiser in 2006 after completing a Bachelor of Communication at the University of Newcastle. Contact her on krystal.sellars@cessnockadvertiser.com.au.
