Illegal dumping
Illegal dumping is the unlawful 'dumping' of waste onto land where no license or approval exists. The acceptance of waste of this nature continues to be an ongoing issue across the Yass Valley LGA. This is particularly the case in areas in close proximity to the ACT border, where surplus soil and building materials, originating from building sites in the ACT, are transported across the border for land filling purposes.
Illegal dumping on a property can result in high remediation costs for the landowner, lower property prices and in a worst case scenario, environmental contamination of the land that could prohibit any further development of the property.
Illegal dumping of unwanted household goods and rubbish on roadsides is unsightly, a risk to the environment and human health, and results in high clean-up costs encountered by Council, which can often not be recovered. If illegal dumpers can be identified, they will be directed to remove the rubbish themselves and issued an infringement.
Yass Valley Council Officers are currently working in collaboration with officers from the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) in an effort to address the illegal dumping issue. Investigations into illegal dumping will collect critical information to add to base data collected by Council that will be used to develop long term strategies to minimise and prevent illegal dumping.
Where more than 100 cubic metres is to be brought onto a property a Development Application needs to be submitted to Council for assessment before any material is brought to the site. This includes, but is not limited to, material for building pads, roadworks, gully filling or top dressing of paddocks. Accepting fill onto your land without the necessary approvals in place can result in penalties of up to $1 million for individuals and $5 million for corporations.
What are the dangers?
- Check if filling is permitted and what Council approvals are required.
- Check the credentials of anyone who offers you free or cheap fill.
- Never accept fill from unknown sources.
- Ask the supplier to prove that the fill isn’t contaminated.
- Supervise and inspect all loads of incoming fill.
- Record details of all transporters brining fill onto your property.
- Keep copies of all documents and records.
Further information about Development Application requirements around accepting fill can be found on the common application types page.
The following is a list of information that may enable Council to investigate illegal dumping occurrences and prosecute offenders:
- Approximate location of illegal dumping.
- Description of waste.
- Number plate/description of vehicle.
- Description of offenders.
- Photographs of illegal dumping taking place.
- A description of any personal items that may contain the offender’s details, receipts, bills etc. Please ensure you do not remove any items from the dump site.
All illegal dumping incidents should be reported to Council by contacting:
Phone: 6226 1477
Email: council@yass.nsw.gov.au
More information: