There is no tolerance for illegal dumping
Members of the public are watching and reporting illegal dumping in the Byron Shire and the message from Council’s Resource Recovery Education and Compliance Officer, Zoe White to the
community is to keep it up.
It comes after three major illegal dumping incidents in the last month, including two asbestos dumps.
“We recently received reports of a pile of asbestos fibro sheeting that had been dumped in and around kerbside bins in the Byron Arts and Industry Estate,” Ms White said.
“We got in and cleaned it up immediately because of the potential threat to public health and safety,” she said.
Asbestos was also dumped at The Byron Resource Recovery Centre, along with four fridges and a washing machine on Tyagarah Road.
These incidents are all under investigation thanks to reports from the community, if anyone has any further information they can report it on Council’s Resource Recovery Hotline, 1300 652 625
The penalties for illegal dumping offences range from $4,000 to $1,000,000 and in the last financial year Council issued 34 relevant penalty notices.
“We take illegal dumping very seriously and have surveillance cameras located in dumping hot spots around the Shire, as well as mobile cameras that we install at different times to catch people who are doing the wrong thing,” Ms White said.
“And with help from members of the public, who are our eyes and ears on the ground, we have a better chance to track down the offenders and fine them,” she said.
“Dumping asbestos and rubbish puts our community and environment at risk and it is disrespectful, especially when we are offering a range of free or subsidised disposal options.
“We know that asbestos is common in many households in our shire which is why we offer free testing kits and subsidised disposal kits for $35.
“The kits can be used to safely remove up to 10 square metres of asbestos from your home.”
“Residents also get two free tip drop-offs of up to 150kg of bulky waste, and/ or 500kg of green waste every year,” Ms White said.
“And – Council provides a free trailer to help them do it so there is no excuse for this type of dumping,” she said.
The Byron Resource Recovery Centre cannot lawfully accept asbestos as it is a transfer site, however there are several facilities nearby which can be found on the EPA website.
Information on safe asbestos removal and disposal, trailer hire and free waste drop-offs is on Council’s website.