It’s welcome news that the Lower Hunter is receiving significant help in the fight against illegal dumping in our communities.
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In recent years, there have been ongoing reports of huge piles of household and industrial waste being discarded at several hot spots across the region that have become frequently-used dumping grounds.
The state government deserves kudos for coming to the table with more than a quarter of a million dollars worth of grants this month to fight illegal dumping in the Cessnock area.
As part of the government’s Waste Less, Recycle More initiative, Cessnock City Council will receive $102,118 for the Cessnock Illegal Dumping Clean Up and Prevention Program, and National Parks and Wildlife Service will get $12,300 to install visible surveillance cameras at Mount Sugarloaf Road as well as $150,000 to expand its illegal dumping prevention program in the Stockrington State Conservation Area.
The $264,418 being pledged is nothing to scoff at – it’s a meaningful contribution to a problem that’s a blight on the region.
“The funding grant was awarded to help clean up efforts, upgrade security such as fences and gates and install surveillance equipment and signage to deter and identify offenders,” Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald said.
“These grants support councils, public land managers and community groups to identify local illegal dumping hot spots and implement clean-up and prevention measures.”
Not only is illegal dumping of garbage an environmentally-destructive act – it’s also a highly selfish one.
No-one should feel they have the right take their problem and dump it on someone else to deal with.
In the case of illegal dumping, that’s what the offenders are literally doing.
Organisations like the Hunter-Central Coast Regional Illegal Dumping Squad are important players in the fight against dumping. But its a shame that the actions of some in our community mean organisations like the RID Squad have a purpose.
Prevention – rather than a response – is the best course of action.
The state government’s funding will help kick along those prevention efforts.
Initiatives like surveillance cameras are visible tools that will help discourage would-be dumpers to think twice before offloading their garbage where it doesn’t belong.
