Greater Shepparton City Council Acting Director Infrastructure, Michael Freeman says the environmental and social costs of illegal dumping far exceed just the financial cost.
Mr Freeman said illegal dumping can cause long term impacts including contamination of land, waterways and groundwater.
Illegal dumping can vary significantly from a small bag of rubbish to large household goods such as white goods, mattresses and furniture or building materials, abandoned cars, car parts and hazardous waste such as asbestos, tyres or chemical drums in isolated areas.
With a long weekend and cray fish opening season around the corner, all campers and holiday makers are encouraged to do the right thing and dispose of unwanted goods and rubbish in the right bins or at their nearest resource recovery centre.
Parks Victoria employs a carry in, carry out policy in all parks throughout Victoria, including the Shepparton Regional Park. This means that any rubbish campers bring into the park, they need to take out with them.
Since February Parks Victoria have collected and 5867 kilograms of waste to landfill from 43 illegal dumps. Parks Victoria has collected 23 mattresses and 51 tyres for recycling with a significant number of new sites including car bodies being identified for collection in the near future.
Illegal dumping significantly impacts our water ways and native wildlife as well as local tourism. If people see cases of illegal dumping, they are encouraged to report these to the relevant organisation.
Instances of illegal dumping can be reported to:
- Parks Victoria on 1319 63 or email info@parks.vic.gov.au
- the EPA Pollution Hotline 1300 372 842
- Council (03) 5832 9700
- If suspected stolen vehicle or property please contact Crime Stoppers or the Police by calling 000.
Council's Shepparton, Ardmona and Murchison Resource Recovery Centres will be open as normal across the Long weekend.
For more information on Councils waste management facilities visit greatershepparton.com.au
