Maitland Council is stepping up efforts to crack down down on illegal dumping.
Council has received 104 complaints about illegal dumping in the past 6 months and recently obtained a state government grant to help with raising community awareness about the impacts of illegal dumping on the environment
It's planning to increase surveillance at known hot spots, while extra signs will be going up.
Educational material is also being produced to help people dispose of rubbish correctly and provide residents with information on how to report illegal dumping.
Council is also stepping up incentives to dispose waste correctly including providing residents with a free tip voucher allowing for the disposal of up to 400kg of waste and allowing green waste to be dropped off at the waste management centre free of charge at weekends.
Council's Development and Environment Manager, David Simm says everyone has an obligation to the environment.
"Illegal dumping is not only a financial burden to the community but a public health risk. Council offers a range of services and facilities that can help residents effectively and legally deal with their waste," he said.
