Illegal dumping is rife across Australia, with councils and state authorities desperate to put an end to it.
Not even hefty fines have deterred offenders from illegally discarding unwanted trash on public land across the country, with scattered rubbish in national parks and roadside reserves sadly becoming a familiar sight.
It’s a “massive problem” in Perth, local organisation Bibbul Ngarma Aboriginal Association (BNAA) revealed this week, after an Aboriginal Heritage site was left in an appalling state.
The culprit was allegedly caught in the act, dumping waste on the Mandoon Bilya (Helena River) floodplain near Whiteman Rd in Hazelmere, about 14 kilometres east of Perth’s CBD in the City of Swan.
“Due to the environmental and cultural sensitivity of the land, as well as significant cleanup costs, they were fined over $5,000,” the organisation revealed.
A photo shared by the organisation shows a vehicle parked alongside a trailer with rubbish strewn across the ground.
Authorities battle ongoing dumping issue
Sadly, it’s not an uncommon sight, and the Helena River “is a major target”, they said.
Dumped fridges, mattresses and motorbikes are regularly found by BBB Rangers, formally known as the BoorYul-Bah-Bilya (BBB) Rangers, an official First Nations land and water management team based in Boorloo (Perth).
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The Helena River, or Mandoon Bilya, in Perth is often targeted by illegal dumpers.
(Bibbul Ngarma Aboriginal Association)
The team, managed by the BNAA, protects local rivers, reserves, and cultural sites while monitoring species like quokkas and black cockatoos.
The sacred site is also often littered with discarded clothing, food and garden waste
“It’s sad to see the disrespect to our community and Country” the organisation said.
Our BBB Rangers are part of a new dedicated taskforce to tackle illegal dumping along the river. They’re working closely with the council and teh Parks and Wildlife Service to tackle the issue once and for all.
Is Illegal dumping a problem across Australia?
In Brisbane, covert cameras have helped catch hundreds of offenders across the city. This year, 853 infringement and warning notices totalling $525,000 have already been handed out.
In Victoria, illegal dumping remains a serious issue.
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The peak body for local councils, the Municipal Association of Victoria, said a task force established late last year to help ease the burden has done little to stamp out the problem.
The task force vowed to crack down on illegal dumping, while also rolling out $8.5 million in rebates to help councils and public land managers clean up waste left behind by offenders.
New South Wales isn’t immune to the issue either, with the state also dealing with illegal dumping across the region.
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