Resident fined $2000 for dumping

The illegally dumped rubbish was discovered in front of a vacant building block on Atkinson Street, Marsden Park, and the Western Sydney Regional Illegal Dumping Squad (WSRID Squad) was called in, a council statement said.

Items linking the rubbish to the owner were discovered, and because the owner could not prove a contractor was responsible for removing the waste, he was fined. 

Legislation allows the owner of the waste to be fined regardless of whether or not they were the person that dumped the waste, the statement said.

Blacktown  Mayor Stephen Bali said there was “no excuse” for dumping rubbish on the kerb, when every household in the city can have up to 12 booked household clean up services a year.

“Last financial year approximately 94,000 residents and ratepayers took advantage of the service, and I thank them for doing the right thing,” he said.

“Our household clean up service is available to all residents and I urge people to take advantage of it.”

If the rubbish had been collected by council or recycled for free at SUEZ Waste Management Centre, Powers Road, Seven Hills or Cleanaway, Bessemer Street, Blacktown, it would have cost nothing.

Cr Bali also issued a warning about waste removal contractors.

“You need to do your homework before contracting someone to remove rubbish,” he said.

“Make sure you get tipping dockets so you know your contractor is legally disposing the waste and you are getting what you paid for.

“People who illegally dump rubbish in Blacktown City need to be aware we are watching - and if we catch you, we will take action.

“We urge residents to photograph and report any instances of illegal dumping they see.”

Blacktown City Council works with the NSW Environment Protection Authority and the Western Sydney Regional Illegal Dumping Squad to curb and manage illegal dumping in the Blacktown local government area.

In the last financial year, council investigated nearly 2,200 reports of illegal dumping in residential areas.