City of Launceston tackling illegal rubbish dumps

The council recently issued one such fine after finding 22 bags of garbage dumped in a suburban creek. 

On Monday officers were dealing with another large dump, along the banks of the Tamar River. 

“If we can ascertain enough evidence we’ll charge the individual,” Mr Breeze said. 

Mr Breeze said he would discourage Launceston residents from using sites such as Facebook or Gumtree to find people to remove their rubbish for them. 

“We had a member of the public who tried to do the right thing and clean up her yard, and ended up paying someone to dispose of a lot of waste that was dumped in a creekline,” he said. 

“Trusting someone you met off Gumtree with all your personal effects can land you in an investigation in council, and pending charges.

“We’d obviously promote if you’re cleaning up your yard or your household get a reputable business that has an ABN and a business name that’s going to dispose of your garbage in an appropriate manner.”

Regulations officers sort through illegal rubbish dumps in order to find evidence which will lead to a fine. 

Mr Breeze said many illegal rubbish dumps were found near waterways, which meant litter could enter the catchment and affect marine life. 

“It takes years, decades and centuries  – depending on what the garbage is – to break down,” he said. 

Northern Tasmanian Waste Management has joined a campaign alongside the southern and North West waste organisations against the dumping of waste in forests, reserves, parks and beaches. 

Anyone who witnesses or finds illegally dumped rubbish is asked to report it to their local council, the Parks and Wildlife Service, or the relevant state government department. 

Visit rethinkwaste.com.au or contact your local council for more information.