The Allan Labor Government is working with communities to keep streets and parks clean, creating safer, more welcoming spaces for everyone - and making sure those who pollute our environment are held accountable.
Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos today announced applications are opening for the $8.5 million Illegal Dumping Clean-up Rebate Program, providing extra financial support for councils and public land managers to clean up illegally dumped waste.
Illegal dumping is a big issue for public land managers across Victoria. We've listened to councils and land managers about the challenges and costs of dealing with illegal dumping.
The Illegal Dumping Clean-up Rebate Program will help public land managers, such as councils and Crown land Committees of Management, to clean up priority waste. The program will cover up to 50 per cent of the clean-up costs when all avenues to trace the perpetrator and recover costs have been exhausted or are not feasible.
To catch more people flouting the law and hold them to account, $13 million will help the Illegal Dumping Taskforce ramp up surveillance, enforcement and clean-up efforts across Victoria.
The taskforce will be led by the EPA, who will work with Conservation Regulator and undertake enforcement activities using expanded intelligence and monitoring to detect and respond to waste crimes in key locations.
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.
Everyone has a part to play in preventing waste dumping. To report illegal dumping call the EPA on 1300 372 842.
To find out more about the Illegal Dumping Clean-up Rebate Program, visit environment.vic.gov.au.
As stated by Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos
"Too often councils and public land managers are left with a costly mess to clean up from the actions of wrong-doers - this rebate scheme provides support to help cover these costs and keep our suburbs and towns clean."
As stated by Member for Carrum Sonya Kilkenny
"Locals should be proud of their local parks and streets, this fund will help councils and land managers keep them clean and healthy."
As stated by Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams
"We're backing public land managers with the support they need to clean up illegally dumped waste left in our communities."
As stated by Member for South Eastern Metropolitan Region Lee Tarlamis
"We are supporting local councils and public land managers to keep our communities clean so families can enjoy our open public spaces without illegally dumped waste."
