Wyndham council has welcomed the state government’s dumping clean-up rebate.
The state government recently opened the illegal dumping clean-up rebate program, through which councils and public land managers can apply for up to $8.5 million to help cover the cost of cleaning up illegally dumped waste.
The program will cover up to 50 per cent of the clean-up costs in situations where all avenues to trace the perpetrator and recover costs have been exhausted or are not feasible.
Environment minister Steve Dimopoulos said the scheme was about ensuring councils and land managers had support in dealing with criminal dumping.
“Too often councils and public land managers are left with a costly mess to clean up from the actions of wrong-doers,” he said.
The rebates will be sourced from $21.5 million worth of funding that the government put aside as part of a crackdown on illegal dumping last year.
The other $13 million of that is allocated to surveillance of illegal dumping spots and enforcement of penalties on perpetrators.
A council spokesperson said 2025 was a costly year in terms of dumping clean ups and welcomed the move.
“Illegal litter dumping is a significant and growing problem for all councils, particularly in growth areas,” the spokesperson said.
“Wyndham City spent approximately $3.1 million on collecting and disposing of illegally dumped rubbish in 2025.”
To report illegal dumping contact the EPA on 1300 372 842, and for more on the program visit: https://www.environment.vic.gov.au/grants/illegal-dumping-clean-up-rebate
