Protecting Our Community
Council is committed to keeping our streets, parks and bushland clean, safe and welcoming for everyone. Illegal dumping damages the environment, creates health and safety risks and places pressure on community resources through cleanup and enforcement costs.
Whether you are renovating your home, clearing out unwanted items or managing waste for a business, every responsible disposal choice helps protect our local area. Understanding how illegal dumping happens and how to report it can make a real difference in preserving the area we love.
What is illegal dumping?
Illegal dumping is unlawfully leaving or throwing waste on land without permission from the landowner or the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA). It includes:
- Leaving household goods (like mattresses or whitegoods) on the kerbside without booking a Council Clean-up
- Dumping construction, demolition or landscaping waste in bushland, parks, or vacant lots
- Placing household rubbish into commercial or public street bins
- Accepting "free fill" soil on your property that is contaminated with building waste or asbestos
What is the true cost of illegal dumping?
Environmental Harm: Toxic chemicals and microplastics can leach into our local waterways and soil.
Public Health Risks: Illegally dumped asbestos and hazardous chemicals pose severe, immediate risks to community health
Financial Burden: Council spends significant ratepayer funds cleaning up illegal dumping, money that could otherwise be spent on community facilities, parks, and roads.
What is the NSW Legislation for Illegal Dumping?
The NSW Government has introduced the Environment Protection Legislation Amendment Act, which significantly increases the fines for environmental crimes.
Under the Act, owner onus applies. This means if your waste is dumped illegally by a contractor you hired, you can still be held legally and financially responsible, as well as being forced to pay for the cleanup.
What are the Illegal Dumping Penalties?
| Offence Type | Individual Penalty | Corporate Penalty |
|
Small Scale Dumping (on-the-spot fine) |
$1,000 ($2,500 in sensitive areas) | $5,000 ($10,000 in sensitive areas) |
| Large Scale Dumping (on-the-spot fine) | $15,000 | $30,000 |
|
Maximum Court Penalty (non-asbestos) |
Up to $500,000 | Up to $2,000,000 |
|
Maximum Court Penalty (asbestos waste) |
Up to $1,000,000 | Up to $4,000,000 |
|
Tier 1 (wilful/negligent harm) |
Up to $2,000,000 | Up to $10,000,000 |
Sensitive areas include schools, hospitals, and national parks. Penalties for repeat offenders are substantially higher.
Are Waste Removal Contractors safe?
Many residents unintentionally contribute to illegal dumping by hiring "rogue" waste removalists who advertise cheap rates online, only to dump the rubbish in local bushland. To protect yourself from fines, you must ensure you hire a reputable contractor using the handy checklist below;
- Check ABN and Credentials: Always ask for their Australian Business Number (ABN) and look it up online. Ensure they are a legitimate registered business
- Get a Written Quote: Avoid contractors who only offer deals via text message or social media. Ask for a formal quote outlining exactly where the waste will be taken
- Beware of "Too Good to Be True" Prices: Legitimate waste disposal costs money (due to NSW Waste Levies and facility gate fees). If a contractor is quoting a price drastically lower than a skip bin, they are likely dumping it illegally
- Do Not Pay in Cash: Always pay by card or bank transfer to ensure there is a financial paper trail
- Ask for the Tip Receipt: This is your ultimate protection. You have the right to request a copy of the weighbridge receipt (tip receipt) from the EPA-licensed waste facility after your rubbish is disposed of
How to report illegal dumping
If you see illegal dumping happening, do not approach the people involved. Instead, stay at a safe distance and note as much information as you can including; time, date and location, make/model and registration number of any vehicle involved and a description of the offenders and waste being dumped.
You can report an incident online through an online portal, by calling the NSW Environment Line on 131 555 or contacting Council’s Customer Service tea via 02 4677 1100 or council@wollondilly.nsw.gov.au.
Do the right thing
Responsible waste disposal means taking items to the correct waste or recycling facility rather than using the wrong bin or dumping them illegally. Doing the right thing helps protect the environment, keeps the community clean and ensures waste is managed safely.
Frequently asked questions
I placed a mattress on the kerb because I booked a Council Clean-up next month. Is this illegal dumping?
Yes. Waste must only be placed on the kerbside a maximum of 48 hours before your booked Council clean-up date. Placing it out weeks in advance is considered illegal dumping and may attract an on-the-spot fine.
Someone offered me 'free fill' for my landscaping project. Is it safe to accept?
It's important to be extremely cautious. "Free fill" is often used by untrustworthy operators to dispose of contaminated soil, building rubble or deadly asbestos. If you accept it, you become legally responsible for the cleanup costs. Always ask for contamination test results and verify the supplier.
I saw a pile of dumped rubbish. Will Council clean it up?
If the waste is on public property (Council roads, parks, or nature strips), Council will investigate and remove it. If the waste is dumped on private property, it is unfortunately the responsibility of the landowner to safely dispose of it.
Can I use the commercial bins behind local shops for my extra household waste?
No, using private commercial bins or dumping your household waste next to public street bins is illegal.
Wollondilly Shire Council acknowledges the Dharawal and Gundungurra peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land, honouring their enduring cultural and spiritual connection to Country and recognising their ongoing contribution to the Shire.
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