Illegal dumping and littering damage our natural environment and cost ratepayers money. Residents and businesses must dispose of rubbish responsibly to avoid fines or prosecution.
The cost of illegal littering and dumping
Unlawfully disposing of litter is an offence under the Litter Act 1979 and the Environmental Protection Act 1986.
Littering can attract on-the-spot fines from $200 to $5,000 or prosecution in court.
Dumping rubbish of any kind in a place not specified as a waste facility is considered littering. Examples include leaving rubbish or unwanted items in the street, bushland reserves, parks, charity bins/shops, or building sites. Littering also includes dropping paper or cigarette butts on the ground.
Although most people do the right thing and take responsibility for their waste, a small minority believe it’s not their problem and dump rubbish wherever they please. Illegal dumping and littering not only cost ratepayers money, but they are also detrimental to our environment and native species.
Options for disposing of unwanted waste
Please visit the following pages to find out how you can dispose of unwanted litter and waste:
Building sites
Any material not appropriately stored or secured on a building site that is allowed to blow or wash away is considered litter.
Building and land development works must be undertaken responsibly to avoid polluting the environment. Secure all waste on-site in a receptacle before disposing of it to keep the verge, footpath and gutter free of building materials and waste.
Report littering or illegal dumping
To report littering or pollution concerning residential or small to medium businesses, please contact the Shire on 9780 5755 or use our online form to report an issue.
To report dumping or pollution to land and waterways, contact the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) Pollution Watch Hotline on 1300 784 782 (24 hours) or via Pollution Watch.
More information and contact
For more information, contact the Shire’s Waste Team on (08) 9780 5255 or email [email protected]