Each year council incurs considerable cost for investigating, collecting and disposing of illegally dumped matter. Dumping unwanted household items and green waste is illegal and subject to on-the-spot fines of $750, higher fines if the incident goes to court.
Council says, instead of dumping, use the Council Clean-up days or the recycling directory in your waste management booklet for where to take unwanted items. They also point out that if you have too much rubbish for your 120 litre bin you can attend one of their Enviro-Works Courses to find out more about what can be recycled and how to reduce your waste. Alternatively, Council reminds us that we can apply to pay for an additional service.
It is illegal to place commercial waste into bins provided in public places and if you have waste produced by a business you can enquire about Council’s business waste service by phoning 9710 0333.
Dumping waste attracts more dumping with the pile of rubbish growing to where it becomes a hazard. It can block visibility and pathways, is aesthetically unpleasing, creates litter and attracts pests, not to mention an on-the spot fine of $750 if caught.
Given the environmental issues of today Council are urging the community to work together to reduce dumping and work towards achieving social and environmental benefits, which include improving amenities around multi-unit dwellings and improved resource recovery of dumped material.
If anyone sees or spots illegal dumping, you need to obtain as much information as possible such as:
· Location of where the dumping incident occurred
· What was being dumped
· Time of the day and date
· Registration plates and description of any vehicles that you saw involved
· Description of alleged persons involved and any other relevant information.
To file a report you then need to phone Council on 9710 0333 during business hours. Council will then commence its investigative processes with information provided held with the strictest confidence. Government supporting Boystown
Member for Heathcote, Paul McLeay, has welcomed the announcement by NSW Community Services Minister, Kevin Greene, that family support services provided by Boystown Engadine have been secured for the next five years with the extension of a contract worth close to a million dollars.
The extension of the Boystown contract is a part of a massive expansion of foster care programs across the State. “Boystown is one of the most important community service organisations in the Shire, dealing with many troubled children and their families,” Mr McLeay said.
“The residential program here preserves families in crisis through supportive counselling, behaviour management, life skills and general education. This program means that children who can no longer live safely at home will have a better chance at life through the support of organisations like Boystown.
“Investing more money and improving the way we provide these services, through long term contracts, is a huge step towards improving these kids’ lives.”
Boystown is one of the 42 non-government organisations from across the state to benefit from the $617 million funding boost.
With more than 12,700 children unable to live with their parents due to abuse, neglect or bereavement, NSW faces a growing need for foster carers. A new fence and upgrades at our local schools
A new security fence has been installed at Gymea Bay Public School, which was vandalized with graffiti seven months ago. The work was among projects totalling $1.8 million carried out at Sutherland Shire public schools over the Christmas holidays.
In July last year vandals sprayed graffiti stretching for 30 metres on the Gymea school’s newly completed hall. The P&C claimed a security fence had been promised for 2007-08, but had been pushed back a year.
This claim was denied by the government, but shortly before Christmas Premier Morris Iemma announced the fence would be erected early this year. Education Minister John Della Bosca inspected the finished project this month and was thanked by Miranda MP Barry Collier ‘for listening to my calls, on behalf of the school community”.
Port Hacking High School was another to benefit from holiday works, with materials, technology facilities, and up-graded and new furniture installed in the science laboratories as part of a state wide trial.
At Menai High School, air cooling was installed for special needs students, while an electrical upgrade took place at Cronulla South Public School. Fencing, a path, handrails and toilet modifications were provided at Marton Public School, while a telephone upgrade took place and ramps were installed for special needs students at Heathcote High School. | 
