With dumping soaring by a third across NSW in just one month, the Regional Illegal Dumping squad has issued 244 notices, which represents tens of thousands of dollars, to people carelessly dumping rubbish across Sydney.
Mayor Khal Asfour said: “The council has a range of initiatives that focus on keeping our City clean and free from illegally dumped rubbish.
“This includes the very successful Eyes On It campaign, with fines up to $4,000 for individuals and $8,000 for corporations, which led to a 39 per cent reduction in illegal dumping across the City over a 12-month period.”
Salvos Area Manager Steve Gillespie is urging residents to only make donations when the centre is open.
“People have good intentions but because they didn’t come in during our opening hours, their donation is likely to be broken or stolen if left out the front,” he said.
“If you want your donation to make a difference to someone needy and not to be wasted, please drop it off when our centres are open during business hours.”
Environment Minister Matt Kean said illegally dumped waste cost taxpayers millions of dollars to clean up and risked harming people’s health and polluting the environment.
“Most people do the right thing and book in a waste pick-up service with their council or sell items in good condition through online forums, but some don’t,” he said.
Report dumpers to the council either online or by calling 9707 9000 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am-5pm) or to the NSW EPA through RID Online or calling 131 555.
Charity stores bearing brunt
WITH more people cleaning their homes, the recent Covid-19 lockdown has seen a spike in the number of people illegally dumping goods, many outside charity stores.
