Authorities managing the region’s public land have slammed the actions of illegal rubbish dumpers, saying the money and time invested to remove rubbish could be better spent.
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Cleaning up abandoned waste costs the state government and local councils more than $100 million every year.
The renewed push to target illegal waste comes after a truck dumping bulk rubbish was caught in the act on June 11.
Resident Sharon Treloar took photos which are being used in an Environmental Protection Authority and Hepburn Shire Council investigation.
Dumpers should not expect to escape scrutiny any time soon.
The Victorian government announced $9.1 million over four years in May to continue the work of the EPA’s Illegal Dumping Strikeforce.
The strikeforce focuses on construction and demolition waste, stockpiling of waste tyres and illegal dumping by skip bin operators.
Working in a highly competitive industry with hundreds of small firms, a small number of skip bin operators dispose of their customers’ waste illegally.
The EPA recommends those hiring a skip bin to be aware of dodgy operators. Responsible skip bin firms can offer the customer certification to show they have disposed of waste properly.
Parks Victoria acting area chief ranger Alex Schipperen said Parks Victoria had recently worked with City of Ballarat to target rubbish dumping in and around Woowookarung Regional Park.
“Rubbish dumping is destructive to the environment, a costly and time-consuming exercise to remediate, and a blight on the community’s beautiful natural areas.
“Removing rubbish is time that rangers would prefer to spend on protecting the environment and making park improvements for visitors.”
Forest Fire Management Victoria midlands district manager Jasmine Filmer said rubbish dumping was a particular issue in the Ballarat region, from Mt Cole State Forests to the Wombat and Hepburn forest areas.
“It is a costly process to remove illegally dumped rubbish. This is money that could be better spent on maintaining access tracks and facilities for campers, bush walkers and four-wheel drivers,” she said.
Call 1300 372 842 or visit epa.vic.gov.au to report a dump.
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