Illegal dumpers of garden waste have been targeted by the NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) and Byron Shire Council.
Operation Palm is a campaign to reduce the problem, with DECCW manager waste management section, Mark Gorta, saying that illegal dumping of garden waste is a highly visible and costly environmental problem.
"Problems caused include threats to native bushland from environmental weeds and disease and reduced habitat for native animals and birds," he says.
"It can also mean an increased fire risk to bushland and adjoining properties, more hiding and breeding sites for vermin and the ugliness of the dumping can compound the problem as the local community loses pride in the affected areas.
"Illegal dumping across NSW costs local and state governments and the community more than $10 million a year to prevent and clean-up."
The campaign will seek support from gardening, landscaping and tree servicing businesses and also target garden waste dumping by local residents.
The illegal dumping of garden waste can result in significant on-the-spot fines.
Council staff will carry out increased patrols of illegal dumping hot-spots over spring and summer, when the problem is most prevalent.
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