A coordinated enforcement initiative involving advanced surveillance technology and increased personnel is underway across four Victorian council areas to address illegal waste dumping. The $21.5 million Illegal Waste Dumping Taskforce has deployed drones, long-range cameras, and additional officers to target hotspots in Hume, Banyule, Melton, and Greater Geelong.
The taskforce aims to identify offenders and prevent rubbish from being illegally deposited in local communities. To achieve this, the initiative utilizes a range of specialized equipment. Advanced drones equipped with light detection and remote sensing capabilities are used to locate waste concealed under vegetation, while drone-mounted ground-penetrating radar detects buried materials. Additionally, Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) sniffer drones are employed to detect methane and other gases associated with decomposing waste.
Surveillance infrastructure has also been enhanced, with long-range cameras capable of capturing footage of vehicles from distances up to one kilometre. This technology follows a successful pilot campaign in Wyndham, where similar surveillance measures helped identify trucks suspected of illegal dumping activities.
Since the commencement of operations, the taskforce has issued 22 clean-up orders and identified 18 new leads for investigation. Operational staffing varies by location; typically, 12 to 15 officers are deployed to each hotspot, with larger operations involving up to 30 personnel. Authorities note that this intensified enforcement precedes the warmer months, a period when reports of illegal dumping historically increase before peaking in autumn.
Legal penalties for those found responsible for illegal dumping remain severe. Individuals face fines of approximately $800,000 or imprisonment for up to five years, while businesses may incur penalties reaching $3.95 million.
Residents who witness illegal dumping are encouraged to report incidents to EPA Victoria via their website or by calling 1300 372 842.