Hume City Council has welcomed the State Government and Environment Protection Authority's (EPA) $21.5 million investment to tackle illegal dumping across Victoria — a move that reinforces the need for a united front in protecting our environment and communities.
The funding includes $8.5 million to support public land managers and councils with clean-up costs, covering up to 50 per cent of expenses in cases where perpetrators cannot be identified. This is a critical step in easing the burden on local governments and ratepayers.
In the last financial year, Hume spent $4.2 million responding to illegal dumping reports across our municipality. This funding announcement is a positive step in the right direction and we'd welcome further engagement with the Victorian Government on what we believe could shift the dial on this problem affecting local governments across the State.
For Hume residents, this means cleaner streets, faster clean-ups, and stronger deterrents for those who continue to treat public spaces as dumping grounds.
Under current laws, individuals caught illegally dumping waste can face on-the-spot fines from Council starting at $407, with penalties increasing based on the volume and type of waste.
Hume has long led the way in tackling illegal dumping. In 2023, Council launched its Waste Response Program, deploying dedicated two-person teams across 12 suburbs to proactively identify dumped rubbish, engage with residents, and promote legal disposal options. The program, now permanent, has reached over 22,000 households, significantly reducing clean-up costs and changing community behaviour.
This initiative complements Council's Dob in a Dumper campaign, which empowers residents to report offenders and raises awareness of the environmental and financial impacts of dumping.
Through increased CCTV surveillance, community education, and enforcement blitzes, the campaign has already led to several successful investigations and penalties.
Council will continue to work closely with the EPA and the State Government and other partners to ensure Hume remains a clean, safe, and healthy place for all.
Quotes attributable to Hume City Mayor, Councillor Jarrod Bell:
"This investment from the State Government and the EPA is a welcome step forward in the fight against illegal dumping. It recognises the scale of the problem and the need for a coordinated, statewide response.
We are sick of seeing illegal dumping in our streets, and this investment further highlights our commitment to working together to stamp out illegal dumping throughout Hume."
