There’s nothing that gets Australians’ blood boiling quite like seeing our beautiful bushland trashed by illegal dumpers.
Whether it’s a pile of old mattresses, broken furniture, or—as one Perth local recently discovered—a heap of plasterboard and what might even be asbestos sheeting, the sight of rubbish strewn across our natural spaces is enough to make anyone see red.
A recent incident in Baldivis, Western Australia, has reignited the conversation about illegal dumping and the damage it does to our environment, our communities, and our sense of national pride.
A local resident, out for a peaceful dog walk, stumbled across a fresh pile of dumped building materials on a bush track—a spot that should have been a haven for wildlife and walkers alike.
Frustrated, the resident took to social media to vent, posting a photo of the mess and asking the question on everyone’s lips: ‘Why don’t we have somewhere free and legal for these f*ckwits to dump trash, instead of this shit?’
The post quickly struck a nerve, with fellow Australians chiming in to share their own stories and outrage.
‘Hope they find some information to identify these farkers and give them a good huge fine to make others think twice in the future,’ one commenter wrote.
Another added, ‘You could pay people to dump responsibly, and there’d still be dickheads who’d do this.’
The law and the (not-so) order
For those who don’t know, illegal dumping isn’t just a blight on the landscape—it’s a serious offence. In Western Australia, littering is covered by the Litter Act 1979, but illegal dumping is prosecuted under the Environmental Protection Act 1986.
The penalties are nothing to sneeze at: individuals can be fined up to $62,500, and companies up to $125,000. That’s a lot of money for a lazy shortcut.
But as many pointed out, the threat of a fine doesn’t always deter the worst offenders. ‘If people don’t give a damn, you can’t reasonably expect them to ‘do the right thing’ and take their shit to a proper dump site even if it was free,’ one person lamented.
Another shared, ‘In Kalgoorlie the tip is free and (I think) open every day. Some mouth breathers still dumped rubbish in the bush.’
Is a free tip the answer?
It’s a fair question: would making tip access free (or even easier) solve the problem? The consensus online seems to be a resounding ‘not really’.
While some believe that cost is a barrier for a few, most agree that the real issue is a lack of care and responsibility.
‘Mate, I don’t think they would take it there anyway. They would have to sort it,’ one commenter said, highlighting that even when the barriers are removed, some people simply can’t be bothered.
The real cost of illegal dumping
Beyond the eyesore, illegal dumping has real and lasting impacts. It can:
- Harm native wildlife, who may ingest or become trapped in rubbish.
- Introduce hazardous materials (like asbestos) into the environment, risking human and animal health.
- Increase fire risk, especially in dry bushland.
- Cost local councils—and ultimately ratepayers—millions each year in clean-up costs.
- Diminish the enjoyment and safety of our public spaces.
What can be done?
So, what’s the solution? While there’s no silver bullet, a combination of tougher enforcement, community vigilance, and education seems to be the best approach.
Many councils now offer hard rubbish collections, recycling days, and even free tip vouchers to encourage responsible disposal.
Some areas have installed surveillance cameras in known dumping hotspots, leading to successful prosecutions.
But perhaps the most powerful tool is community action. Reporting illegal dumping, supporting local clean-up days, and spreading the word about the impact of this behaviour can all help.
And if you spot something suspicious, don’t hesitate to contact your local council or the EPA—you might just help catch a dumper in the act.
Have your say
Have you witnessed illegal dumping in your area? Do you think free tip access would make a difference, or is it a lost cause for some?
What do you think councils and communities should do to protect our bushland? Share your stories, ideas, and frustrations in the comments below—let’s keep the conversation going and our bushland beautiful!
Also read: One photo was all it took as tradie fined $30,000 for illegal dumping
