NT government cracks down on illegal dumping

The Northern Territory Government is putting the increasing issue of illegal dumping in Alice Springs in the spotlight.

Operation: Don’t be a Dumper will investigate the nature and scale of illegal dumping in the community and aims to reduce the prevalence of dumping.

Illegal dumping of waste, such as broken fridges and washing machines, old tyres and mattresses, as well as household rubbish, is an ongoing issue across the Territory, but is particularly bad in Alice Springs, where reports of illegal dumping are increasing.

Joshua Burgoyne, Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment said the program built on existing relationships with stakeholders to ensure residents and visitors were informed of the legal and convenient waste disposal options available.

“The Northern Territory Government is committed to reducing crime, rebuilding the economy, and restoring the Territory lifestyle in Alice Springs. Focusing on the issue of illegal dumping is a big step forward in achieving these goals,” said Burgoyne.

“It’s important to focus on stopping this desecration of our pristine environment and empower Territorians to take charge of making sure others do the same.”

Burgoyne said the government have put together a working group, including Alice Springs Town Council, Northern Territory government departments, Arid Land Environment Group, Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation, Tangentyere Council and Central Land Council, to make sure illegal dumping comes to a halt.

“Data collation and intelligence gathering will help determine the nature, extent and cause of the problem, while prevention and deterrence measures are now in place,” he said.

“These include the installation of covert cameras in identified dumping ‘hot spots’ to target illegal dumpers with the aim of changing illegal dumping behaviour in the community.”

Community clean-up days will be planned and managed by the working group and will provide an opportunity for the community to get involved.

The operation includes a monitoring function to measure the effectiveness of the project and to ensure the measures put in place are subject to continuous improvement.

Burgoyne said offenders can be fined $1850 when caught.

“Alice Springs Town Council’s waste management facility offers residents the opportunity to dump whitegoods for free on the first Saturday of each month so there is no reason to pollute our wonderful landscape,” he said.

“I encourage you to report illegal dumpers on the NT EPA website or call the Pollution hotline on 1800 064 567.”

For more information, ntepa.nt.gov.au/