Baw Baw Shire Council is encouraging the community to help reduce illegally dumped rubbish following an increase in incidents which will see Council's expenditure exceed $84,343 this financial year.
Last month Council was made aware of an illegal dumping event on Hazeldean Road, Ellinbank containing potentially high-level contaminants including asbestos and arsenic. Upon being reported to Council, waste contractors immediately began testing the soil. In the intervening period while awaiting results, even more waste was illegally dumped at the location further contaminating the site.
In addition to the negative environmental impact, the cost to ratepayers to remedy this single event was $32,345 – almost half of Council's allocated $67,200 budget towards addressing illegal dumping this financial year.
Unfortunately, the event is not a once-off and is emblematic of an increasing trend of illegal waste dumping across the Shire.
Over the past 3 years, Council's budget spend on illegally dumped rubbish has increased by 80%. As a result, Council has been compelled to increase the allocated budget spend on illegal waste remediation each year. With the cost inevitably flowing on to Baw Baw Shire ratepayers, Council is asking for community assistance to eliminate illegal rubbish dumping by reporting incidents when they see them.
It is a criminal offence to illegally dispose of waste and, if caught, individuals may face multiple penalties including large fines.
Community members are encouraged to report any illegal dumping they may witness or have any information about to Council through Snap Send Solve or to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) by calling 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842) or visiting www.epa.vic.gov.au.
To ensure residents can dispose of their waste correctly, Council offers a range of hard waste collection options as well as the do-it-yourself drop offs at the four Council operated transfer stations.
