The Victorian Government has announced a $21.5 million boost to the state’s Illegal Dumping Taskforce to assist councils and public land managers to clean-up illegally dumped waste.
Minister for Environment, Steve Dimopoulos said the Government had heard from councils and land managers who are facing an increase in dumping.
“That’s why we’re delivering $8.5 million to help ease the burden of clean-up costs for illegally dumped and toxic waste in public spaces,” said Mr Dimopoulos.
“This will help public land managers clean up priority waste – like public health hazards – and will cover up to 50% of the clean-up costs in situations where all avenues to trace the perpetrator and recover costs have been exhausted or are not feasible.”
The Minister said $13 million would help the Illegal Dumping Taskforce ramp up surveillance, enforcement and clean-up efforts across Victoria.
The taskforce will be led by the EPA, who will work with Conservation Regulator and undertake enforcement activities using expanded intelligence and monitoring to detect and respond to waste crimes in key locations.
“EPA Victoria welcomes the State Government’s additional funding to tackle the ongoing issue of illegal waste dumping,” said Interim EPA Victoria CEO, Joss Crawford.
“Illegal waste dumping is a statewide issue that costs the community and impacts the health of the environment. As well as the financial burden carried by taxpayers, it takes away our enjoyment of public spaces across Victoria.
“The Illegal Dumping Taskforce will step up enforcement activities, review fines for illegal dumping, and expand waste intelligence to detect and respond to waste crimes in high impact locations.
“The Taskforce will increase holding offenders to account through the courts and step up naming and shaming of those who do the wrong thing.
“EPA looks forward to working effectively with other agencies and local governments to tackle illegal dumping in our public spaces, whether that’s along roads, on beaches or in parks and reserves,” she said.
Rubbish dumping and littering on public land is illegal with a maximum penalty of $3,951,800 for businesses and $800,000 for individuals or five years imprisonment, or both.
To report illegal dumping contact EPA Victoria on 1300 372 842.
