Victoria deploys drones and cameras to combat illegal dumping

The Victorian government has launched a $21.5 million Illegal Waste Dumping Taskforce to combat unlawful waste disposal across four council areas: Hume, Banyule, Melton, and Greater Geelong. The initiative utilizes advanced technology, including drones equipped with light detection, remote sensing, and ground-penetrating radar to locate waste hidden under vegetation or buried underground. Additionally, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is deploying sniffer drones to detect methane and other gases emitted by decomposing waste.

Surveillance efforts include long-range cameras capable of capturing truck footage from up to one kilometre away. Enforcement will be supported by ground teams, with 12 to 30 officers typically deployed to hotspots. Environment Minister Jaclyn Symes stated that the combination of “eyes in the sky and boots on the ground” is designed to increase accountability.

Penalties for illegal dumping are severe. Individuals can face fines of approximately $800,000 or five years in prison, while businesses may face penalties reaching $3.95 million.