11 May 2022

'Covered in animal faeces': illegal dumping threatens rural waste disposal sites

| Claire Fenwicke
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rubbish strewn on ground

Illegal dumping has been found at the Delegate and Cathcart waste disposal sites. Photo: Snowy Monaro Regional Council.

Illegal dumping has threatened local waste disposal for Cathcart and Delegate rural residents.

Snowy Monaro Regional Council said employees visited the local bin enclosure facilities and found rubbish and building material “strewn across the ground” at both sites, with some material “covered in animal faeces”.

“Not only is this objectively disgusting, but it poses serious health and safety risks for our workers – your fellow community members – when they have to sort through and clean it up,” council said.

“The costs incurred by council to continually clean up after the actions of a disrespectful few are directly borne by ratepayers.

“If the illegal dumping continues, council will have no choice but to close the facilities.”

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Council urged anyone with information about the illegal dumping to email [email protected] or make a report through RID Online.

Illegal dumping is classified as the dumping of waste larger than litter in public areas – such as roadsides, bushland, next to a bin or illegal landfills – without council or EPA approvals.

This includes general household rubbish (from supermarket bag size upwards) and larger domestic items (mattresses, garden waste, construction materials, hazardous waste and abandoned vehicles and tyres).

A person found guilty of illegal dumping can face up to seven years in prison or a $250,000 fine.

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