Council & Politics
2 October, 2025
Council welcomes boost for illegal dumping
PYRENEES Shire Council has welcomed state government assistance to help clean up illegally dumped waste. The Government says it has listened to the concerns of local councils and land managers who are facing an increase in dumping. The Government will invest $21.5 million to bolster the Illegal Dumping Taskforce and deliver extra financial support for councils and public land managers to clean-up illegally dumped waste. The package includes $8.5 million to help ease the burden of clean-up costs for illegally dumped and toxic waste in public spaces.
Environment Minister Steve Dimopolous said the funding will help public land managers clean up priority waste – like public health hazards – and will cover up to 50 per cent of the clean-up costs in situations where all avenues to trace the perpetrator and recover costs have been exhausted or are not feasible.
“We helping keep our parks and suburbs clean and healthy and we’re cracking down on polluters.”
“There’s no excuse for illegal dumping and anyone who thinks they can get away with it should think again,” Mr Dimopolous said.
Pyrenees Shire Council CEO Jim Nolan said the extra funding will help council with the growing problem of illegally dumped waste.
“I welcome the Victorian Government’s move to help councils clean up illegally dumped waste.
“Most illegal dumping incidents in Pyrenees Shire take place mainly on forested land that is managed by the Victorian Government, not Council,” Mr Nolan said.
“Only one fine has been given out this year for illegal dumping and one in 2024 on Council-controlled land. However, if identifiable rubbish is left illegally on Council-controlled land or the dumping is witnessed and reported, Council will act against the people involved,” he said.
“I also urge residents who witness illegal dumping to record the offender’s vehicle registration plate if possible and report it to Council if it is on Council-owned land.”
Rubbish dumping and littering on public land is illegal with a maximum penalty of $3,951,800 for businesses and $800,000 for individuals or five years imprisonment, or both.
Residents witnessing illegal littering are encouraged to call the 24-hour pollution hotline at 1300 372 842 or report it online through the EPA Victoria website.