Based on preliminary data collected for the State Environment Report, the incidents of illegal dumping decreased from 150 in 2014/15 to 130 in the following year.

“Since May 2016, Western Plains Regional Council has been raising community awareness and seriously cracking down on offenders through surveillance of dumping hot spots, fines and signage in the Dubbo area, as well as an educational component,” council’s manager environmental control Debbie Archer said.

The campaign has been funded under Round 2 of the NSW EPA’s Combating Illegal Dumping: Clean-up and Prevention Program. 

“The campaign has included the development of a simple ‘Four Step Guide’ for legally disposing of unwanted household items in the Dubbo area to increase residents understanding of lawful waste disposal, the negative impacts of illegal dumping, and the associated heavy fines,” Ms Archer said.

“One option highlighted in the guide is to take advantage of council’s upcoming annual kerbside clean up service for Dubbo residents.”

The bulky waste collection started with the rural zone- residences located outside Dubbo’s 50 kilometre per hour speed zone that receive a weekly wheelie bin service.

The next collection, starting Sunday August 28, will be from urban zone one which is classified as east of the Macquarie and north of the Dubbo- Sydney railway line.

The following week bulky waste will be collected from the second urban zone, which is west of the Macquarie River.

Starting September 11, cleanup will take place east of the Macquarie River and south of the Dubbo-Sydney railway line.

“Should you spot illegal dumping anywhere in NSW you can now use your smart phone to report any illegal dumping activity. Visit ridonline.epa.nsw.gov.au, enter the type of waste, location, and add a photo to submit your report,” Ms Archer said.