TATTERED televisions, weathered whitegoods, even piles of household rubbish – welcome to one of Tamworth’s most notorious dumping grounds.
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Bushland surrounding the Oxley Lookout, and the twisting road leading up to it, have emerged as a happy dumping ground for frugal residents.
In addition to the usual dumped items, council rangers are discovering tyres, green waste and even construction and demolition waste – including asbestos.
Tamworth Regional Council environment and health manager Ross Briggs said the dumping was both frustrating and costly for ratepayers.
“It’s disappointing, especially given we’ve just had our bulky goods collection,” Mr Briggs said.
“Rangers tend to patrol the area every week but unless someone gives us information or we have some evidence to connect a person to the waste, catching them is very hard.
“It’s pure laziness and bloody mindedness. A lot of this stuff could go in domestic bins and the other stuff could be taken to our landfill.”
Mr Briggs said council was considering the use of covert surveillance cameras in the area to nab dumpers in the act.
He said fines of up to $750 for individuals and $1500 for corporations applied for dumping.