Cameras snap illegal rubbish dumpers

REMOTE cameras have snapped illegal rubbish dumpers on travelling stock reserves (TSRs) in the Dubbo area, yielding fines totalling $3000 for six people.

Senior ranger with the Central West Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA), Lisa Thomas, says the dumping of rubbish on these reserves has been an ongoing issue for many years.

Not only do LHPA staff regularly clean up rubbish, but also volunteers who regularly participate in Clean Up Australia Day.

“The types of rubbish being dumped varied from lawn clippings/green waste, (that pose the threat of introducing new weeds on to TSRs), to general household rubbish, and white goods,” says Ms Thomas.

“The dumping of rubbish poses a health risk not only to LHPA staff but also to the general community that use the TSRs for recreational purposes, for example 30 syringes were picked up by LHPA field staff in one pile of dumped rubbish.”

LHPA rangers have issued warnings to numerous people in the past, and have also placed warning signs alerting people to the fines for dumping rubbish on TSRs.

“Unfortunately this has not deterred people using TSRs close to

“However, we now have the technology to monitor the dumping of rubbish on TSRs and the LHPA will be targeting proven photographed offenders by issuing fines of $500.

“The six people recently fined were pictured driving on to the Mugga Hill TSR with rubbish on their vehicle/trailer and leaving some minutes later without any rubbish.

“LHPA staff interviewed all six people identified and in all cases they admitted to the offence of dumping rubbish and subsequent $500 fines were issued.

“The general community should be aware that even though we are targeting rubbish dumping on TSRs that it is also an offence to dump rubbish on any public land such as council roadsides, state forests or any parkland.

“With various government agencies now using remote cameras it is now a matter of not if you get caught but when you get caught.”

LHPA staff will also be using the remote cameras to monitor for other illegal activities, such as motorbike riding and cutting of firewood from TSRs, and will continue to issue fines for these offences, Ms Thomas says.