$2000 fine issued for illegal dumping

Published on 30 September 2020

Byron Shire Council has issued a fine of $2,000 for dumping household waste on a median strip in Ocean Shores. 

The incident occurred at the median strip in the middle of the intersection of Shara Boulevard and Kolora Way in Ocean Shores.

This area is considered a hotspot for illegal dumping with 22 incidents reported in the last six months and many more potentially unreported.

Temporary signage was installed at the site but one of these signs was recently stolen.

Zoe White, Council’s Waste Education and Compliance Officer said she hoped the fine would serve as a warning to others that illegal dumping will not be tolerated in the Byron Shire.

“Illegal dumping costs Council more than $150,000 a year in clean-up and prevention costs and this money could be much better spent on other services in our community,” Ms White said.

“The waste is not only unsightly in neighbourhoods but there are ramifications for the environment as well with the potential to contaminate and degrade land, plant and animal habitats and pollute waterways,” she said.

To deter illegal dumping Council has an annual free drop off of up to 150kg of bulk waste or 500kg of green waste to the Resource Recovery Centre at Myocum. 

For information about the waste drop-off service go to Council’s website. 

If people see someone dumping waste anywhere but their own wheelie bins they should call the Resource Recovery Hotline on 1300 652 625 or report it online at ridonline.epa.nsw.gov.au/#/home

For media enquiries contact Annie Lewis, Media and Communications Coordinator, on 6626 7320.