Illegal rubbish dumping continues to be a ‘big problem’ in the Huon Valley, according to the local council.
The Huon Valley Council and the Environment Protection Authority have begun a crackdown on illegal dumpers who ‘continue to dump waste where they see fit’.
Mayor Sally Doyle said a majority of the rubbish found at dump sites included household waste, tyres, appliances, asbestos sheeting and building waste.
Doyle said the illegal rubbish was “often dumped in environmentally sensitive areas” like forestry roads, near waterways and in natural bush close to roadside pull over areas.
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“More and more frequently, household rubbish is being dumped in Council bins, especially at recreation grounds,” Doyle said.
“This dumping overloads the bins before the scheduled pickup, causing litter to escape into the environment. It also denies use of the bins to people using our recreational areas.”
Trail cameras, specialist investigative officers and a new reporting system have been implemented in the Valley with the goal of ‘identifying and prosecuting’ offenders.
“In the past, it has been difficult to identify and prosecute individuals involved with illegal rubbish dumping.”
“With these new resources and strategies in place, we can work together to minimise the affect rubbish dumping has on our environment and our Valley,” said Mayor Doyle.
