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Illegal Dumping and Littering
Illegal dumping is estimated to cost NSW councils about $10 million a year in removal and clean up of illegal dump sites. The costs to the community can be far greater in environmental and social terms. Illegal dumping contributes to the degradation of land and runoff can contaminate soil and water sources. Dump sites can present a health risk and reduce the recreational use of public land.
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Illegal dumping is the unlawful deposit of waste larger than litter on both public and private land and includes using waste as fill material without the appropriate approvals. Illegal dumping ranges from small bags of rubbish in urban areas to large scale dumping of waste material in isolated bushland. Report illegal dumping to Council (02) 6767 5555 or call the Office of Environment and Hertiage Hotline on 131 555.
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The Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 provides a tiered range of fines for illegal dumping. These range from on the spot fines for individuals to substantial fines and jail sentences for causing harm to the environment through disposal of waste.
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