Illegal dumping of garden waste: campaign launched in Byron Shire
November 23, 2009
The NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) and Byron Shire Council have launched a campaign targeting the problem of illegal dumping of garden waste.
Operation Palm is an innovative campaign to reduce the problem, and involves DECCW and Byron Shire Council.
DECCW Manager Waste Management Section, Mark Gorta, said that illegal dumping of garden waste is a highly visible and costly environmental problem.
“Problems caused include threats to native bushland from environmental weeds and disease, and reduced habitat for native animals and birds,” he said.
“It can also mean an increased fire risk to bushland and adjoining properties, more hiding and breeding sites for vermin, and the ugliness of the dumping can compound the problem as the local community loses pride in the affected areas.
“Illegal dumping across NSW costs local and State governments and the community more than $10 million a year to prevent and clean up.”
Previous campaigns have shown that the incidence of illegal dumping can be prevented by the combination of education and enforcement activities in a collaborative approach at the local, regional and State level.
Byron Shire Council’s waste and recycling services manager, Russell Chaplin, said the council, in partnership with DECCW, will be conducting a campaign seeking support from gardening, landscaping and tree servicing businesses. The campaign will also target garden waste dumping by local residents.
“The campaign aims to raise awareness of businesses and residents as to the harmful effects of the illegal dumping of garden waste and their legal responsibilities. The illegal dumping of garden waste can result in significant on-the-spot fines,” Mr Chaplin said.
“We’ll be sending a brochure to landscape, gardening and tree services businesses in the local area and following up with a waste survey of their operations.
“There will also be an advertising campaign in local publications warning householders to be aware of the problem and to report suspicious activity or illegal dumping.”
Mr Chaplin said council staff would be carrying out increased patrols of illegal dumping hot-spots over spring and summer, when the problem is most prevalent.
Residents who suspect illegal dumping or become aware of illegal waste operations should contact Byron Shire Council on 6626 7000.
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