Illegal dumping and flood waste recovery program

This program aimed to resolve remaining waste issues after the initial emergency clean-up phase that were not eligible for other government funding sources.

This program supported public land managers in the assessment and clean-up of remaining waste, including illegal dumping and restoration and replacement of illegal dumping deterrence measures, caused by flooding and severe weather in 2022.

The program is part of the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. 

Experience with managing natural disasters on public land demonstrates that ongoing waste issues remain after the initial clean-up of flood events, such as illegally dumped waste, flood related litter and bulky waste. Old dumping sites can be exposed after floods and become more accessible to the community. There is also a reported rise in new illegal dump sites, particularly in areas that become accessible after natural disasters.

Objectives

The objectives of the program were to:

• lawfully manage known ongoing waste issues facing public land managers, including illegal dumping, resulting from the 2022 floods and ensure they do not pose any further risks to humans or the environment.
• reduce the financial impact on public land managers to assess and plan the clean-up, disposal and reuse of waste resulting from the 2022 floods.
• improve data quality on the extent of flood dumping across NSW caused by the 2022 floods. This will provide important baseline evidence of the lingering impact of the floods.
• better prepare public land managers to deter future disaster dumping by supporting the restoration and repair of prevention and deterrence measures.
• provide regional employment opportunities in flood affected areas.
• provide participation opportunities for aboriginal owned businesses and/or aboriginal employment

Successful Applicants