In an effort to tackle illegal dumping across the region, Cessnock City Council has teamed with local sporting personalities to launch a 12 month 'Better not mess with Cessnock' campaign.
Illegal dumping is the unwarranted disposal of waste in areas other than approved management facilities. There were 377 incidents recorded in the Cessnock Local Government Area last year alone.
Local sporting personalities including Speeding Racing Champion, Kiona Sunterton, Kurri Kurri Bulldogs', Brock Gilmour, Ladies League Tag's, Leanne Polglase, and Cessnock Goanna's, Patrick Jurd will be the faces of the campaign.
Over the next 12 months the campaign will see advertisements on the back of local buses, Council's garbage trucks, ads in the Cessnock Advertiser, and a social media campaign across the Council's Facebook page.
Cessnock Waste Management Centre's Sustainability Officer, Karinda Stone, says the local faces will help bring further attention to the issue of illegal dumping in the area.
"It's about educating and informing people so they're aware that it is a big issue and recognise that it's not the right thing to do with our waste", she says, "We really need to be disposing of it properly".
Cessnock City Mayor Councillor Bob Pynsent commended the local sports stars on their involvement in the campaign and hopes locals will take note of the main message.
"There is absolutely no excuse to mess with Cessnock," he says, "I can assure people that the fines are far worse than the fees at the Cessnock Waste Management Centre".
The year-long campaign was made possible with a $102,118 Illegal Dumping, Clean Up and Prevention grant from the Environment Protection Authority.
Council is urging everyone to report cases of illegal dumping by calling 131 555 or reporting online at ridonline.epa.nsw.gov.au.
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