Illegal dumping

Illegal dumping on side of road

Illegal dumping is the dumping or storing of rubbish in a public place, including a nature strip, without licence or approval. It causes significant issues for residents and the environment.

  • It pollutes our waterways and environmental areas. It can kill native animals, smother native vegetation, and contaminate soil.
  • It is unhygienic and can attract or house vermin. It can also spread priority weeds.
  • It is hazardous to human health through sharps, syringes, asbestos, and other hazardous waste.
  • It wastes resources that could be recycled or reused.
  • It creates a fire risk and can block emergency access.
  • Enforcement and removal costs you money as a ratepayer.

To combat illegal dumping, QPRC offers free bulky waste collections for residents of Braidwood, Bungendore, Captains Flat, and Queanbeyan. Households that have a 3-bin individual collection service can organise two free kerbside collections for bulky waste per financial year. Multi-unit properties have a scheduled hard waste collection twice a financial year. Visit our Kerbside Clean Up page for more information.

Unwanted household items can also be taken to our waste transfer centres. Find out locations, opening hours, and what items are accepted here.

Report Illegal Dumping

If you spot illegal dumping in NSW, including used household items, old tyres, green waste or construction waste (like bricks and timber), you can report it here

Emergency incidents

If there is an immediate emergency such as toxic fumes or a large chemical spill, call 000 immediately.

For urgent responses

If dumped waste poses an immediate environmental risk contact:

  • Council for small urgent incidents (under two trailer loads).
  • EPA Environment Line on 131 555 for large urgent incidents (over two trailer loads).

Enforcement

Council staff investigate all reports of illegal dumping. They can take enforcement actions where the person responsible for the illegal dumping can be identified. Penalties for illegal dumping are significant, and can exceed $1 million for individual and $4 million for corporations. Those found liable for illegal dumping may be directed to remove the waste at their expense. Failure to do so can result in further penalties. More details can be found at NSW EPA

 

 

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