Council targets unauthorised landfill

Campbelltown City Council is advising residents to be aware of the implications of accepting free landfill in response to a recent spate of unauthorised landfill and vegetation removal incidents across the city.

Residents in rural areas of the community have reported being approached by companies seeking cost-saving opportunities to dispose of construction waste and excavated soil onto local properties, promoting the material as free or cheap landfill.

Accepting unauthorised fill, without the proper checks and approvals, could potentially expose landowners, and their families, to hazardous materials such as asbestos, which is often contained in construction waste, and may permanently devalue their property.

Landowners should ensure that prior approval is sought for any land use activities – such as landfilling, earthmoving or vegetation removal – conducted on their property, and that the works are conducted lawfully. This approval process ensures that the activities will not cause land contamination, adverse drainage or health impacts, or environmental harm.

The penalties for unauthorised works can be hefty, and range up to $5 million where the matter is successfully prosecuted in Court. A local land owner was recently prosecuted in the Land and Environment Court and was fined $84,000 and ordered to pay legal costs which were in the order of $100,000. These costs were in addition to the owner's own legal and clean up costs.

 Residents are encouraged to contact Council to raise any concerns or report incidents of illegal landfilling or vegetation removal.