The Hills Shire Council is urging residents with any information or video footage on an illegal dumping to report it directly to the Western Sydney Regional Illegal Dumping (RID) Squad.
The request comes after seven tonnes of dirt was illegally dumped on a property in Aquarius Way, Box Hill. Unbeknown to the Council staff who began removing the dirt, a padmounted electricity transformer laid beneath the pile and was concealed by the dumped material.
General Manager of The Hills Shire Council, Michael Edgar said Council staff were very lucky not to be injured, or worse – killed in the waste retrieval.
"To illegally dump, let alone cover a transformer completely with soil is absolutely unacceptable. It's a disgrace," Mr Edgar said.
"Ultimately our ratepayers have been left with this clean-up bill and these illegal dumpers have got off scot-free. It is a disgrace that such illegal dumping is seen by many as acceptable and as a way to profit at ratepayers expense. Cleaning it up is a misuse of Council time and services," Mr Edgar added.
Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Michelle Byrne said she is encouraging residents, if they see something, to say something and report it to the RID Squad.
"If you have home security cameras and you know there has been an illegal dumping in your area, please check the footage. You may have important information the RID Squad can use to find the perpetrator/s," Mayor Byrne said.
"Everyone has a role to play in reducing illegal dumping, and this includes ensuring your own rubbish is disposed of in the safe and correct manner, as well as reporting people you've noticed leaving waste in your local neighbourhood," Mayor Byrne added.
Dumping waste is illegal and can come with harsh fines if the perpetrators can be identified.
Council's procedure on illegal dumping includes referring the complaint onto RID for further investigation.
The RID Squad specialises in dealing with illegal dumping and illegal landfilling. If a complaint has been referred to the RID Squad by Council, the Squad then attempts to track down and take action against offenders, such as the issuing of fines and arranging with the offenders to remove the illegally dumped waste.
If they can't find the perpetrators, Council staff will then remove it and it's ultimately the ratepayer who covers the cost.
Residents can report illegal dumping via the RID Squad webpage, ridonline.epa.nsw.gov.au.
The Western Sydney RID Squad is a joint project between the NSW Environment Protection Authority and local Councils, funded in part by the waste levy.
