Investigation Launched Into Large Amount Of Asbestos Dumped At Morisset

BY IAN CROUCH

Authorities are asking for help from the public to track down those responsible for dumping a large amount of asbestos-contaminated building waste at Morisset.

The asbestos was found in about 10 tonnes of waste which was dumped on a local street sometime between 10.00pm on Wednesday and 4.30 yesterday morning.

It's believed the demolition waste came from a fire-damaged property in Newcastle or the Central Coast.

The Regional Illegal Dumping Squad have taken photos of the waste in the hope someone will be able to identify where it's come from.

Spotlight Shone on Illegal Dumping Scourge

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

More than $62,000 worth of illegal dumping fines have been handed out to Lake Macquarie residents this year alone.

1100 incidents and 24,000 tonnes of unlawfully disposed waste has been recorded across the Hunter and Central Coast over the past 12 months, and we're being put on notice with fines starting at $2000 for individuals.

Analysis shows household waste is the most common material to be illegally dumped, accounting for 50% of all recorded incidents. Construction and demolition waste are the next most common.

Hunter/Central Coast RID Squad Coordinator Rob Robertson says residents can also get caught out if they enlist the help of another person or hire someone to remove rubbish.

"What sometimes happens is that fly-by-night waste removalists will advertise online, pick up your rubbish and take payment, then try to dodge tip fees by dumping their waste illegally," Mr Robertson says.

"Most householders don't realise they are actually liable when this occurs."

Lake Macquarie Council's Sustainability Manager Dr Alice Howe says they've just installed solar lighting at a known dumping hotspot, Glendale's Reservoir Road.

"Lighting is an important part of our deterrent strategy," she explains, "we really rely on the public to help us with information and lighting makes it easier for people to see what's going on.

"I really encourage people, if they see illegal dumping activity, to call the Environment Line on 131 555 and we can follow up on that," Dr Howe says.

The RID Squad's Rob Robertson on grounds off Reservoir Rd Glendale. 

Lake Macquarie Council Given Grant To Combat Illegal Dumping

BY OLIVIA PORTELL

Lake Macquarie Council has been given a 71 thousand dollar grant as part of a statewide initiative to combat illegal dumping.

The grant comes as part of an attempt to decrease illegal dumping by 30 percent by 2020.

The money will assist with cleaning up potentially dangerous waste, such as asbestos, that has been dumped around the region.

Member for Lake Macquarie, Greg Piper, says that the region is particularly bad and that the amount of rubbish being carelessly dumped is worrying.

"Anybody that drives around the area, you will see rubbish dumped illegally on the side of the road, but as soon as you get a little bit off the beaten track, you just see people go down and they dump amazing amounts of rubbish," he says.

Piper says that people must change their ways, and consider the environment and the people who have to clean up after them when dumping their waste.

"They don't care what's in that rubbish, and I know the council, and other councils, have been battling illegal disposal of materials such as asbestos, and this is very concerning, particularly for anyone that then has to go and clean this up," he says.

"There are a lot of issues there, but certainly in this day and age people take so little personal responsibility for the waste that they produce."

Piper believes the grant will be a great help to the region, and that there are a number of volunteers working with the council to combat the issue.

"We have Landcare, we have sustainable neighbourhood community groups, so there's no shortage of goodwill out there to do the right thing, but often there's a lack of that practical resource in the finances, and hopefully this goes a long way to help."

Cessnock City Council Launches Campaign to Target Illegal Dumping

BY CAOIMHE MACCARTHY

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.

Image supplied.