Paul Bibby
Tweed residents are being urged to dob-in illegal dumpers through a new signage campaign targeting two dumping hot spots.
The campaign, funded through a $20,000 grant from the NSW Environmental Protection Authority, will also help Tweed council establish more data on the types and quantity of waste being dumped, and to help it run a community education campaign.
Tweed Shire Council Environmental Health Of cer Kelly Piazza with one of the new signs. Source: Tweed Council/Tweed Link
Signs have already been erected on Tweed Coast Road between Pottsville and Wooyung, and on McAllisters and Urliup Roads near Bilambil – all of which are known hot spots for dumpers.
Featuring the face of a Bush Stone-curlew, the signs urge residents and visitors to report illegal dumping online and to ‘Love the Tweed – Don’t dump. Take it to the tip’, as illegal dumping can attract fines of more than $4000.
Council figures show that dumping cost ratepayers $84,000 in 2016/17.
The cost of remediation was a further impost on council coffers, as was installing barriers to prevent dumping.
The stretch of Tweed Coast Road between Pottsville and Wooyung alone cost $15,000 in 2016/17.
In addition to the grant, Tweed Council has adopted an Illegal Dumping Strategy at its August Council Meeting, outlining the framework to significantly reduce the amount and impacts of dumped waste in the Tweed.
To report illegal dumping, visit ridonline.epa.nsw.gov.au or call Council on (02) 6670 2400.
