HIDDEN surveillance cameras are being installed at Lake Macquarie’s illegal dumping hot spots.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Illegal dumping – sometimes involving dangerous asbestos products – has become a growing problem in bushland across the city.
In 2014, a specialist local team – the Hunter/Central Coast Regional Illegal Dumping (RID) Squad – was tasked with tackling the problem.
This financial year, the local RID Squad has issued 68 penalty notices to offenders with a total value of about $65,000.
The addition of surveillance cameras is expected to boost the squad’s strike rate.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter and Central Coast, Scot MacDonald, said the Department of Primary Industries – Lands and the Hunter/Central Coast RID Squad were installing the cameras to tackle illegal dumping on Crown land.
“This morning, I was shown one of the illegal dumping hot spots. It really is disgraceful behavior by these criminals,” Mr MacDonald said.
“The illegal dumping squad is working hard to catch the culprits, and the public should be aware that on-the-spot fines start at $2,000 for individuals.
“Companies caught illegal dumping can face much higher fines.
“This is a scourge on the community, and a terrible way to treat the environment.”
The installation of surveillance cameras on Crown land will assist the agencies in gathering evidence against illegal dumpers, he said.
The effectiveness of camera-based evidence in helping to successfully prosecute offenders was highlighted in the Lakes Mail last month.
A Cameron Park man was fined $2000 after a passing motorist used a vehicle dash cam to record him illegally dumping waste along Buttaba Hills Road, Buttaba.
The quick-thinking motorist passed the footage on to Lake Macquarie City Council, and the RID Squad was able to issue a penalty infringement notice.
Lake Macquarie City Council has welcomed the introduction of surveillance cameras in the fight against illegal dumping.
“Surveillance is a key strategy in the prevention of illegal dumping and it assists RID Squad officers to carry out their investigations,” a council spokesperson said.
“The RID Squad has been an effective force in the fight against illegal dumping across the Hunter and Central Coast regions since its introduction in 2014.”
RID Squad officers routinely rely on information from the community to assist in their investigations.
The example of the Cameron Park man caught on dash camera underlined the importance of the community’s eyes and ears, the council said.
“Cases like this demonstrate the importance of tip-offs from the community in helping to tackle the issue of illegal dumping,” the spokesperson said.
Mr MacDonald said illegal dumping was never a victimless crime.
“Illegal dumping can cause serious environmental pollution and can be a risk to human health,” he said.
“It can impact local amenity as well as create a significant clean-up cost to the community.
“DPI – Lands has coordinated over $900,000 worth of illegal dumping clean-up projects in the Hunter region so far this financial year.”
Penalties for those caught illegally dumping can be severe.
On-the-spot fines start at $2,000. For more serious matters, such as commercial or large-scale dumping, fines can be as high as $250,000 for individuals and $1 million for companies.
“Combating illegal dumping is a shared responsibility and the community can play an important role in providing information about illegal dumping activities,” Mr MacDonald said.
Anyone with information can call the Environment Line on 131 555 or DPI Lands on 1300 886 235.
For information about the NSW Illegal Dumping Strategy and waste dumping penalties visit epa.nsw.gov.au/illegaldumping.
Residents can assist by reporting incidents of illegal dumping online at ridonline.epa.nsw.gov.au, by emailing council@lakemac.nsw.gov.au, or phoning 4921 0333.
