Council has investigated a record number of illegal dumping incidents across the region during the last financial year.
Ranger services staff were alerted to 1,637 incidents where waste material was dumped onto public and private land unlawfully, or without the appropriate approvals.
This figure is around 33 per cent more incidents than Council has ever recorded in a financial year and represents almost half of the 3,344 illegal dumping investigations undertaken across the Illawarra, South Coast and Southern Highlands.
The waste dumped included more than 3,168 tonnes of construction and demolition material, 268.1 tonnes of green waste and 494.8 tonnes of soil and excavated material.
"The Shoalhaven is home to 150 species of threatened flora and fauna and the impacts of illegal dumping, particularly in our natural areas, cannot be underestimated," said City Development Director, James Ruprai.
"The number of investigations is not necessarily reflective of more illegal dumping occurring, but certainly that our community is passionate about identifying and reporting this behaviour.
"While many of the reasons behind why people decide to illegally dump waste are varied, and at times complex, there is never an excuse to dump asbestos, tyres, household waste and construction material in our beautiful national parks, reserves and forests," Mr Ruprai said.
"Many of the items found in illegally dumped waste can be taken to our waste transfer stations and landfill locations for free, or at small cost, to be reused or repurposed. Alternately, a bulky waste collection service is also available to our residents," he said.
Council employs two full-time illegal dumping investigators who are joint-funded by the Environment Protection Authority as part of the Southern Council's Group (ISJO) Regional Illegal Dumping Response.
Using covert surveillance cameras, proactive patrolling, and working closely with Crown Lands, the National Parks & Wildlife Service and State Forests, Council's investigators have issued multiple penalty and clean up notices during the reporting period.
Mr Ruprai said the work done by Council's investigators demonstrated the commitment of our staff and the Shoalhaven Community to address the significant environmental and social issue.
"The estimated cost to council of removing this rubbish including its transportation, disposal and land remediation was more than $200,000 in the last financial year," he said.
"These costs are significant and divert vital funding from other community-based projects including the roll out of infrastructure and essential maintenance."
To report illegal dumping head to the EPA's portal https://ridonline.epa.nsw.gov.au/ or call Council on 1300 293 111.
