Hume council has welcomed state government and Environment Protection Authority (EPA) funding to tackle illegal dumping.
Statewide, $21.5 million will be invested into the Illegal Dumping Taskforce to clean up parks and reserves, and hold illegal dumpers accountable.
The funding includes $8.5 million to support public land managers and councils with clean-up costs, covering up to 50 per cent of expenses in cases where perpetrators cannot be identified.
The funding was announced by Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos,.
“We’re helping keep our parks and suburbs clean and healthy and we’re cracking down on polluters,” Mr Dimopoulos said.
“There’s no excuse for illegal dumping and anyone who thinks they can get away with it should think again.”
Council said the funding is a critical step in easing the burden on local governments and ratepayers.
“This investment from the state government and the EPA is a welcome step forward in the fight against illegal dumping,” mayor Jarrod Bell said.
“It recognises the scale of the problem and the need for a co-ordinated, statewide response.
“We are sick of seeing illegal dumping in our streets, and this investment further highlights our commitment to working together to stamp out illegal dumping throughout Hume.”
In the last financial year, council spent $4.2 million responding to illegal dumping reports across the municipality.
Council said for residents, this funding will mean cleaner streets, faster clean ups, and stronger deterrents for dumpers.
It also complements council’s current Dob in a Dumper campaign, which encourages residents to report offenders and raises awareness of the environmental and financial impacts of dumping.
Council has also increased CCTV surveillance, community education and enforcement blitzes, with the campaign already leading to several successful investigations and penalties, with some of those shared on council’s social media pages.
Council said it will continue to work closely with the EPA and the state government and other partners to ensure the municipality remains a clean, safe and healthy place.
To report illegal dumping, contact the EPA on 1300 372 842.
