THE City of Whittlesea is sending a firm message to anyone considering illegally dumping rubbish: you will be caught, and you will face significant consequences.
Council has intensified its targeted patrols, surveillance operations and enforcement activities, with recent cases demonstrating that offenders are increasingly being tracked, identified and fined. The Victorian Government’s recent $21.5 million investment in the state’s Illegal Dumping Taskforce is expected to further boost these efforts, and the City of Whittlesea has welcomed the funding as a strong step toward a long-term state-wide approach.
Council is also urging the Victorian Government to strengthen laws so that penalties for illegal dumping are tougher and act as a greater deterrent.
Recent investigations highlight the effectiveness of Council’s approach. In Wollert, illegal dumping across three separate sites was traced back to the same offender using CCTV footage, community reports and a well-timed photo from a local resident. The result: fines totalling $3,555.
In another case, Council cameras captured a person dumping rubbish from a vehicle onto a nature strip and roadway. The registered owner of the vehicle failed to respond to a Waste Information Gathering Notice, leading to a $407 infringement for failing to respond and a further $1,221 penalty for illegal dumping. Council says the case highlights that both drivers and vehicle owners can be held responsible.
A third incident involved e-waste, a bike frame and furniture panels abandoned inside a Mernda bus shelter. The same items had been previously sighted on a nearby property. After the offenders ignored a Waste Abatement Notice requiring them to remove the rubbish, Council issued two infringements of $1,221, one for the dumping itself and another for failing to comply.
Between July and October 2025, Council investigated 681 reports of dumped rubbish, issued more than 200 compliance notices and directions, handed out 80 infringements under the Environment Protection Act 2020 and Community Local Law totalling $107,823 in fines, and completed 10 prosecutions in the 12 months to May 2025, resulting in a further $22,202 in fines.
Council continues to remind residents that illegal dumping costs the whole community — yet disposing of unwanted items responsibly can often be done for free or at low cost. Waste vouchers, community recycling stations, repair and reuse programs and Council’s online A–Z recycling guide all provide simple alternatives to dumping.
Community reports remain crucial. Residents can report dumped rubbish through Snap Send Solve, at whittlesea.vic.gov.au/litter, or by calling 9217 2170.
