Bathurst MP Paul Toole is urging people to dispose of their rubbish in the legal way

The Clean-up and Prevention Program is funded under the state government’s $337 million Waste Less, Recycle More initiative to help councils and other public land managers to reduce illegal dumping. 

“I’m really pleased to give Bathurst Regional Council just under $20,000,” Mr Toole said. 

“What we are seeing in some places where illegal dumping is taking place, unfortunately, is it gets into the environment and leaching into our waterways and can have a real impact on the environment. 

“The $20,000 is to go towards developing a strategy. The council will be able to develop the strategy, identify where the hot spots are in the local government area and then to look at working on a campaign to alert the community about dumping and the problems it actually has in our area. 

“There are severe penalties and heavy fines for people caught illegally dumping.

“We want people to dispose of their rubbish in the right way and the right manner.”

Cleaning up illegally dumped waste also costs ratepayers plenty of money. 

“That’s the other problem. At the end of the day it’s the council who are going out there and cleaning up the sites where we do find illegal dumping taking place,” Mr Toole said. 

“It costs tens of millions of dollars, right across NSW every year, for councils to clean up illegal dumping.”

Bathurst deputy mayor Michael Coote welcomed the NSW Government grant and said the community will have to be aware of people who illegally dump. 

“We’ll have to train residents and people to be on the lookout for dump trucks or anyone thinking about dumping illegally. 

“Up to $5 million [in fines for illegally dumping] if you’re caught by the EPA [Environment Protection Authority]. Locally, we can issue fines up to $8000.”

He said it’s disappointing to see so many people who illegally dump, considering council “offer all facilities” to get rid of waste.