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New unit to dump
on illegal dumpers
A new high-level unit to crack down on illegal dumping has been established in the Environment Protection Authority of South Australia (EPA).
Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Paul Caica said the EPA Illegal Dumping Unit would identify, investigate and stop illegal waste activities using intelligence, covert surveillance and other investigative techniques.
“The State Government has allocated $814,000 a year for the unit that will better target illegal waste activities such as illegal landfilling, illegal dumping of hazardous waste, commercial quantities of demolition waste, liquid waste and industrial waste and businesses operating without a licence,’’ Mr Caica said.
| EPA adopts high-level response |
“Illegal dumping is not only ugly, but it also pollutes our waters and land and can harm the health of our communities, especially when hazardous chemicals or asbestos are involved.”
He said it was well known that South Australia was a leader in waste management and recycling and while most businesses did the right thing, there were some people who continued to ignore the warnings and dump their waste illegally.
“Not only is this breaking the law, but it is also undermining the legitimate waste operators who dispose of their waste in a safe manner and the investments made by industry,” he said.
“This initiative will support proper waste management and ensure there is a more level playing field.”
Mr Caica said the EPA took a zero-tolerance approach to illegal dumping and offenders would be forced to pay full clean-up costs as well as penalties imposed through the court system.
“Consumers have clear expectations that industries and businesses will do the right thing for the benefit of the community, the environment and future generations and dispose of their waste responsibly,” he said.
“While the EPA Illegal Dumping Unit does not deal with smaller roadside car boot dumping and dumping of domestic waste, the State Government is working with local and state government agencies to deal with this issue.”
Edition 152, 9 February 2012
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