New surveillance cameras introduced to deter illegal dumping

TWEED Shire Council is installing new surveillance cameras across the region in an effort to reduce illegal dumping of household waste, including items such as mattresses, broken toys and damaged furniture.

The cameras are intended to help council more quickly identify offenders while also acting as a deterrent to people disposing of waste in public bins, bushland, road reserves and rural areas.

Illegal dumping is estimated to cost the Tweed community more than $200,000 each year, with over 200 incidents reported annually.

In addition to clean-up expenses, dumped waste can harm the environment, attract pests, produce odours and contribute to the spread of invasive weeds.

Council has said the issue also poses safety risks for staff tasked with clean-ups, who may encounter hidden hazards such as snakes within dumped materials.

By contrast, waste taken to the Stotts Creek Resource Recovery Centre is already sorted and managed, allowing for safer handling.

Resource Recovery Unit Coordinator Rodney Dawson said the financial and environmental burden of illegal dumping is felt across the entire community.

“Illegal dumping impacts all of us and costs everyone,” Dawson said.

“It damages the places we care about.”

Dawson added that installing the new surveillance cameras is part of an initiative to better protect community spaces.

“Surveillance cameras have been shown to be a strong deterrent and are one of the tools we can use to manage illegal dumping in public places,” he said.

“We know the community has asked us to take stronger action, and we are doing what we can to protect and preserve our shared places.”

Council has emphasised that residents have access to a range of free and convenient disposal options designed to reduce the incentive for illegal dumping, including free on-call kerbside collection for residents with a domestic wheelie bin service, as well as Stotts Creek Resource Recovery Centre (the tip), where many items can be dropped off free of charge.

Authorities warn that penalties for illegal dumping are significant.

Council officers can issue on-the-spot fines of up to $6,000, while maximum penalties reach up to $250,000 for individuals and $1 million for corporations.

Council have encouraged members of the public to report illegal dumping or suspicious activity in public spaces such as parks, bushland and road reserves.

Where safe to do so, council have said people should record details including vehicle information, number plates, descriptions, location, date and time, and report it via council’s website: Report a problem, the Report Illegal Dumping (RID) online or by calling 131 555, or Tweed Shire Council on 02 6670 2400 between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm on weekdays.