In the wake of 3,000 reported cases in the past two years, Camden Council has gone up a gear in its fight against illegal rubbish dumping.
Council recently joined the Western Sydney Regional Illegal Dumping (RID) Squad.
Working across local government boundaries, RID squads use a strategic, coordinated approach to prevent illegal dumping while focusing on particular issues in their region.
Established in 1999, the Western Sydney RID squad also encompasses Blacktown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Penrith, The Hills and Blue Mountains council areas.
It focuses on identifying and patrolling illegal dumping hotspots and investigating illegal dumping incidents and taking action against offenders.
RID also organise clean-ups, track down illegal landfills, identify changes and trends in illegal dumping across a regional area and deter community members from illegal dumping by educating them about the consequences.
Also, RID run joint compliance campaigns with the EPA, SafeWork NSW, NSW Police and other regulatory authorities.
Mayor of Camden, Cr Theresa Fedeli, said council’s membership of RID will enable a greater crackdown on illegal dumpers.
“There is no excuse for illegal dumping and council is taking a firm stance on catching those doing the wrong thing by joining the Western Sydney RID squad,” Cr Fedeli said.
“Over the last two financial years we have had almost 3,000 illegal dumping reports and our aim is to get that number down to zero as quickly as possible.
“I encourage any resident who sees somebody potentially dumping any waste on building sites, at parks or anywhere else in the community to contact council.”
Western Sydney RID squad member Greg McCarthy said the addition of Camden Council will see a great increase in the area’s operation.
“The Western Sydney RID squad is focused on reducing illegal dumping whilst protecting people and the environment from illegally dumped waste,” Mr McCarthy said.
“Having Camden Council join the squad will further strengthen our strategic approach to combating illegal dumping within the region.”
