A $40,000 state government grant to combat illegal dumping of waste in bushland at Lucas Heights is "a good start", said a councillor who led a campaign for a bigger effort.
Sutherland Shire Council will top up the grant with $18,000 from its own funds to pay for new enforcement and education campaigns.
The grant was among 37 announced by Environment Minister and Cronulla MP Mark Speakman under the Waste Less, Recycle More initiative.
Councillor Peter Towell, who has highlighted the problem for several years, said it was a "good start, but I think we need to do a lot more".
"To clean up residual waste and have greater success stopping it occurring, we need more access to the state government waste levy [paid by users of the Lucas Heights waste centre]," he said.
Cr Towell said Lucas Heights was at a higher risk of illegal dumping than other parts of Sydney.
"I think people go to the tip, see the ridiculous cost and decide to dump their rubbish outside," he said.
"Asbestos is a health problem, yet the cost of taking it to the tip is a deterrent to home renovators."
Sutherland Shire mayor Kent Johns said illegal dumping was a problem not just at Lucas Heights, but throughout Sydney.
It ranged from small bags of rubbish to larger scale transportation of waste materials to isolated areas of bushland.
Cr Johns said the council recently met with Mr Speakman to express its concerns. He said the council was a member of the newly formed Sydney Regional Illegal Dumping (RID) Squad, which involved co-operating with police and teams of illegal waste investigators across Sydney.
REPORT IT
Mayor Kent Johns said new signs would be installed along Heathcote and New Illawarra roads to alert would-be dumpers to the program.
Investigating officers would be on duty 25 hours a day.
Cr Johns said a range of surveillance techniques would be used and information on dumping practices shared.
Incidents can be reported to the squad on 131555, the council on 9710 0333, the council’s Report It app, or to police.