NT Gov launches ‘don’t be a dumper’ campaign to tackle Territory-wide illegal dumping
Territorians are being called to “dob in a dumper” by the government, amid the launch of a new plan to tackle illegal dumping on Crown Land. Find out more.
Alice Springs
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Brand new surveillance cameras are part of a new plan to tackle illegal dumping on crown land by the NT Government, who are calling on Territorians to “dob in a dumper”.
In Alice Springs, a new coalition comprising of the town’s council, Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation, Arid Lands Environment Group, the Central Land Council, and Tangentyere Council has formed to tackle illegal dumping in crown land.
Announced on Friday by Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment Josh Burgoyne, the coalition is part of suite of measures to tackle illegal dumping as part of the government’s Don’t be a Dumper campaign.
Other measures include a signage update warning of illegal dumping consequences, and new cameras on Crown Land to capture “people in the act”, Mr Burgoyne said.
“We are ensuring that we are capturing the details of those vehicles that are moving in and out, and then as far as evidence goes – what we can prosecute people for – it’s capturing them in the act of that illegal dumping,” Mr Burgoyne said.
Details on the new cameras are department “secrets” Mr Burgoyne said, who did not elaborate if license plate recognition technology will be used.
“The way in which the department has been doing this is – I can’t give away their secrets, but I can tell you right now, I was surprised they are doing the right things to ensure that we are going to be capturing people in the act of illegal dumping,” he said.
Mr Burgoyne also called on Territorians to “dob in a dumper” to help keep the environment clean.
Illegal dumping on Crown and council land has long been a thorn in the side of the Alice Springs Town Council, who formally requested “urgent action” on the issue at the March 26 Ordinary Council Meeting.
Council acting director of community development Luke Allen welcomed the announcement, and urged the public to take advantage of the council’s free waste disposal services.
“We have a free white good dumping day each month where you can take your white goods out to the regional waste management facility and get rid of them without any cost to you,” he said.
“We see things like green waste dumped quite a lot, despite the fact that green waste is completely free to take out to the regional waste management facility.”
Individuals caught illegal dumping can be fined $1,850 if caught.
Mr Allan said a lot of illegal dumping “simply comes down to laziness”.
Reports of illegal dumping can be made to the NT Environmental Protection Agency pollution hotline on 1800 064 657 or online.
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