Dubbo Regional Council is encouraging people to be vigilant and help prevent illegal dumping throughout the Christmas and New Year period.

Areas like Mugga Hill are often used as illegal dumping sites.

Council’s manager environmental control Debbie Archer said littering and illegal dumping was an ongoing environmental crime that required community diligence to prevent.

“Illegal dumping of waste varies from small bags of rubbish dumped in an urban environment to larger scale dumping of waste materials in isolated areas such as bushland,” Ms Archer said.

“Fines for illegal dumping vary depending on the nature and impact of the act with the minimum on the spot fine being $2000.”

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Unwanted waste can be taken directly to the Whylandra Waste Disposal Depot on Cooba Road which is open daily 9am to 5pm with the exception of Christmas day.

Free disposal is available for recyclable items including e-waste, scrap metal, white goods, car batteries and car bodies.

At the end of November the Elong Elong Waste facility was temporarily shut down due to asbestos waste that was illegally dumped at the site.

At the time, council’s manager solid waste Mark Giebel said that it appeared the waste had come from a renovation as it contained old tiles and sections of wall.

Proper management of asbestos is important because of the significant impacts on someone’s lungs that asbestos can cause in the longer term.

Mr Giebel said with recent changes to legislation council and the Environmental Protection Authority could issue on the spot fines of $15,000 for illegal transportation and disposal of asbestos, with maximum court imposed penalty of $2 million.

Rangers are on duty throughout the holiday period and can be contacted on 6801 4000. On Sundays and public holidays the number should only be used for emergencies.

Illegal Dumping can be reported directly to Dubbo Regional Council or via the EPA hotline on 131555 or online at https://ridonline.epa.nsw.gov.au.