The New South Wales Government is tackling illegal dumping and litter head on by rolling out $3.6 million to help councils, businesses, community groups and public land managers protect local environments.
Funding has been awarded to 16 projects focusing on reducing litter, from Sydney Airport and inner-city suburbs such as Marrickville, to regional cities such as Bathurst and Maitland.
Inner West Council is one of nine successful councils that has been awarded $400,000, taking a total of more than $1 million invested in litter prevention in and around the Cooks River since 2021.
The funding has helped Cooks River Alliance and council to drive down litter in what was one of the most polluted waterways in Sydney. This work, together with statewide litter prevention initiatives, has reduced litter in the river system by up to 60 per cent since 2018-19.
More than $700,000 has also been awarded to 13 projects cracking down on illegal dumping through increased surveillance, infrastructure solutions, clean-ups, education, research, and collaboration.
The illegal dumping projects target two common dumping locations, with 47 per cent of reported incidents occurring on the kerbside and another 41 per cent in bushland.
Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said the State Government had taken steps to deter this type of activity by doubling on-the-spot fines for general littering of small items and increasing maximum penalties for small-scale illegal dumping.
“Our reforms respond to community concerns and calls from local councils for stronger action and powers on illegal dumping,” Sharpe said.
“By 2030, we want to reduce litter by 60 per cent. These new projects will help to propel us forward by changing behaviours and delivering critical infrastructure to encourage better waste disposal.”
Applications are now open for the next intake of litter prevention and illegal dumping grants. For more information, visit: here
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