Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke announced today that $500,000 in grants is available to combat illegal dumping in the Cootamundra electorate.
“The Cootamundra electorate is one of the most beautiful parts of NSW and its landscapes never cease to amaze me,” Ms Cooke said.
“But when waste is thoughtlessly and illegally dumped, it’s not only the visual impact which is spoiled – there are safety considerations not only for the community but also to the flora and fauna in the region.”
Councils, public land managers and community groups can apply through the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Combating Illegal Dumping Clean up and Prevention Program.
The grant program has been running since 2014 and has awarded $6.3 million to projects that combat illegal dumping.
“Some of these projects include the installation of gates, signs, surveillance cameras and fencing to tackle illegal dumping along with the removal of thousands of tonnes of illegally dumped waste,” Ms Cooke said.
“This significantly contributes to the Government’s target of reducing illegal dumping by 30 per cent by 2020.”
The grant program is funded under the Waste Less Recycle More initiative, administered by the EPA.
“The EPA works with local council to tackle illegal dumping, and I encourage councils and public land managers in the region to take up this grant opportunity,” Ms Cooke said.
Applicants are able to apply for funding under three streams:
Option 1: $50,000 – $120,000 for councils and public land managers to carry out illegal dumping clean-up and prevention projects.
Option 2: Up to $20,000 for councils and public land managers to establish illegal dumping baseline data.
Option 3: Up to $50,000 for illegal dumping clean-up and prevention community partnerships.
More information is available at https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/working-together/grants/illegal-dumping/illegal-dumping-clean-prevention.
