MITCHELL SHIRE, VIC. — Illegal dumpers have left Mitchell Shire ratepayers with a $253,830 cleanup bill for the 2025/26 financial year, with council collecting 421 tonnes of dumped waste from council-managed roadsides, parks and reserves.
Mitchell Shire received 1,056 reports of illegal dumping in 2025/26, compared with 950 in 2024/25 and 617 in 2023/24.
Of the 1,056 reports, 628 – almost 60 per cent – of the reports came from Wallan, with 276 reports, and Beveridge, with 352 reports of illegal rubbish dumping.
Wallan and Beveridge also accounted for about 55 per cent of Mitchell Shire’s illegal dumping collections, an estimated 231 tonnes.
Illegal dumping is a growing problem across Melbourne’s outer fringe, particularly in areas with significant development and vacant land.
“There is simply no excuse for illegal dumping,” Mitchell Shire Mayor John Dougall said.
“We know how frustrating it is for residents to see rubbish dumped in their streets, parks and reserves. Every time someone dumps rubbish, our ratepayers are left to pay for it. Last year that bill was more than $250,000, all because some people would rather dump their rubbish on a roadside than take it to the resource recovery centre.
“Dumped rubbish contaminates land and waterways, harms wildlife and creates health and fire hazards in the places our community enjoys. It’s selfish, and it has to stop.”
Council officers investigating illegal dumping can issue on-the-spot fines of more than $1,000. In 2025/26, Council issued 61 infringement notices totalling $85,000. Council also prosecuted three offenders in 2024/25.
“We’ve taken people to court for dumping rubbish, and we’ll keep doing it,” Cr Dougall said.
“If you dump rubbish in Mitchell Shire, we’ll do everything we can to find you and make you pay.”
Council has installed CCTV cameras at dumping hotspots, but cameras and Council officers can’t be everywhere. That’s why Council’s Dob in a Dumper campaign calls on residents to report dumping and suspicious behaviour.
Mitchell Shire works with the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) and neighbouring councils to identify offenders. Illegal dumping can attract penalties of up to $600,000 and seven years’ imprisonment for individuals, and up to $1.2 million for corporations.
“If you see someone dumping rubbish, take down the number plate and report it,” Cr Dougall said. “Your report could be the one that helps us take them to court.”
Ratepayers receive five Resource Recovery Centre vouchers each year, each worth up to $40, to use at Council’s Resource Recovery Centres in Broadford, Pyalong, Seymour and Wallan.
Many commonly dumped items, including e-waste, cardboard, gas bottles, steel and car batteries, can be dropped off free of charge.
If you witness illegal dumping, ratepayers are encouraged to take note of vehicle details and registration, the date, time and location and the type of waste dumped.
If it’s safe to do so, photos or videos can provide crucial evidence.
Report illegal dumping:
- online via Report It: Report an issue or incident
- through the My Mitchell mobile app
- by calling Council on (03) 5734 6200
- by calling the EPA’s 24-hour pollution hotline on 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842).
