Aboriginal Land Clean Up and Prevention Program

Program snapshot

Category: Illegal dumping grants

Amounts: Total of $1,000,000 with individual grants of $10,000 to $75,000

Eligible bodies: NSW Local Aboriginal Land Councils; and local councils, government agencies, non-governmental organisations, consultants, and other entities working in partnership with a Local Aboriginal Land Council

Contact: aboriginal.programs@epa.nsw.gov.au

Status: Round 5 recipients have been announced.

Managed by: NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA)

Aims

Under Waste Less Recycle More Extension the Aboriginal Land Clean Up and Prevention (ALCUP) aims to:

  • reduce the impacts of illegal dumping on Aboriginal land through clean up and prevention activities
  • build and maintain collaborative approaches and partnerships to help manage and reduce the occurrence of illegal dumping
  • integrate deterrence, surveillance and monitoring measures and community education to prevent illegal dumping activities on Aboriginal land
  • incorporate cultural activities that enable Aboriginal people to care for Country, engage in knowledge sharing and gain skills and employment in land management.

In round 4, the EPA made changes to ALCUP to reflect feedback from Aboriginal communities and organisations to better meet the needs of Aboriginal communities. We thank the individuals and organisations that helped us review the program. We are always happy to talk about improvements that can be made. Please email any suggestions or problems to aboriginal.programs@epa.nsw.gov.au.

Funding of between $10,000 to $75,000 was available to Local Aboriginal Land Councils for individual projects.

The priorities for the funding reflect the EPA's commitment to delivering an integrated approach to combat illegal dumping through active engagement and collaboration between government, land managers and local communities.

Round 5 recipients

Under Round 5, the NSW EPA awarded over $700,000 to 11 successful NSW Local Aboriginal Land Councils.

Organisation

Amount

Project Summary

Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council

$74,985

The Eden LALC Lands Survey, Clean Up and Surveillance Project will build on clean-up work previously funded by EPA in the establishment of ongoing surveillance and enforcement regimes in sensitive areas of cultural significance. It will also survey and assess known areas at risk of dumping that have not been formerly identified as well as clean up and install surveillance cameras in three identified areas of concern that adjoin residential land in Eden and Millingandi.

La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council

$71,516

The Kurnell Conservation Land Illegal Dumping Prevention program will focus on implementing measures to prevent illegal dumping. In 2021, over 96 hectares of environmental conservation land at Kurnell was transferred to the La Perouse LALC. For years the lands have been subject to illegal access (gates being cut) and illegal dumping. This project will aim to install concrete bollards, surveillance cameras and signage to deter illegal access and prevent illegal dumping.

Moama Local Aboriginal Land Council

$65,500

This project focuses on Shaw Street Reserve, which has no fences or gates and has become a prominent dumping site for many years. The project aims to remove old caravans, motor vehicles, tyres, and other rubbish as well as install a fence line and CCTV monitoring. The project will also beautify the area upon conclusion of the clean-up.

Toomelah Local Aboriginal Land Council

$75,000

This project aims to clean up an illegal dumping site at Toomelah which has potentially up to 50 tonnes of household waste accumulated in a pile at the back of the community. The Toomelah LALC intends to coordinate a household clean-up in the community, beginning with the waste existing in the community. The project aims to clean up the site, fix fencing, install gates, signage, and beautify the area upon conclusion of the clean-up.

Biraban Local Aboriginal Land Council

$75,000

This project is aimed at encouraging the community to care for country by removing illegally dumped rubbish across numerous hotspots on Biraban LALC land. It will also install surveillance cameras, gates and wildlife-friendly bollards and cable fencing to deter and reduce future illegal dumping. The project also includes developing and erecting signs notifying the local community of the area as private property, the importance of caring for country and that the area is under surveillance and illegal dumpers will be prosecuted.

Karuah Local Aboriginal Land Council

$78,500

Many areas have problems with illegal dumping in Karuah LALC, causing adverse health impacts to the community. This project aims to remove the illegally dumped rubbish including tyres, hazardous materials, construction, and demolition materials; install fencing and rock barriers on all boundaries to minimise access to land and install signage and trail cameras.

Deniliquin Local Aboriginal Land Council

$70,530

Earlier in 2022, the Four Post Camping Site was given back the traditional owners, under the responsibility of Deniliquin LALC. The project will aim to install fencing and gates to protect river access. The proposed installation of lighting will improve the safety of the community and campers as well as prevent illegal dumping and vandalism.

Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council

$75,000

This project aims to protect, clean up and restore the ecological integrity of the site, create a shared understanding of the proper use of the site and cultivate the ecological, historical, and cultural value among the local community. It will achieve this through the safe removal of waste along the boundary and tracks, erection of metal/cement barricades and gates at the entrance with surveillance cameras. After the clean-up, a natural revegetation barrier will be installed for future protection around the boundary tracks.

Wamba Wamba Local Aboriginal Land Council

$72,694

Wamba Reserve is 50,000 square meters of land with four houses, community infrastructure, an admin building, and a large work shed. This project aims to clean up and remove all the rubbish that has been dumped on Wamba Reserve over the last eight years. It will erect high fencing and solid lockable gates to prevent illegal dumping and trespassing. Existing fences will be repaired and upgraded to increase their height and effectiveness as they have been damaged and torn down over the years.

Brewarrina Local Aboriginal Land Council

$52,500

The project will clean up the waste that has been building up in the Aboriginal reserves of Barwon Four and West Brewarrina’s Bush Queen village over the last six years. This includes a variety of waste types including general waste, dumped household waste, metal and industrial waste as well as dumped vehicle bodies. This project will also incorporate a household clean-up to address waste held in each household.

Coonabarabran Local Aboriginal Land Council

$71,677

This project aims to clean up illegal dumping of general waste and old tyres and metal that have been occurring since the removal of houses on the Burra Bee Dee Mission. It will also install surveillance cameras and signage to prevent and monitor any further dumping.

Round 4 templates

Past recipients

Under Round 4, the NSW EPA awarded over $900,000 to 15 successful Local Aboriginal Land Councils.

Organisation

Amount

Project Summary

Coffs Harbour and District Local Aboriginal Land Council

$74,250

Coffs Harbour and District LALC will undertake a series of activities to clean up existing waste and develop strategies to prevent future instances of illegal dumping on LALC lands. The project will focus on waste clean-up; erection of fencing, or restricting access through bollards, bounders, and other means; development and erection of signage to deter illegal dumping; engagement of stakeholders to have a holistic approach to illegal dumping and the development of an illegal dumping strategy and long-term waste management strategy.

Dubbo Local Aboriginal Land Council

$75,000

There is ongoing illegal dumping and firewood collection posing a threat to the water table with contamination seeping through the soil. There has been dumping from road construction and households, as well as old car bodies and the rubbish, including a substantial dump of Asbestos. The project will install fencing and fates to restrict vehicle access, and signage erected to deter further illegal activity. Once access has been restricted the rubbish will be removed.

Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council

$75,000

This project will secure (through gates, fencing, signage, surveillance) a short section of the boundary near the Kurri Hospital, which is subject to ongoing illegal access and dumping impacts. It will employ a LALC ranger to patrol the site and project manage. Rubbish will be mapped and logged using GPS. Mindaribba LALC will engage with the local community through events, school groups and social media campaigns to raise awareness and educate local people about the values of bushland.

Wanaruah Local Aboriginal Land Council

$75,000

The ‘Restoring our Land’ project will clean up illegally dumped waste, with the aim to separate recyclable materials from general waste. It will install large concrete blocks and/or bollards and landscape through ditches and mounds to prevent access to the site. Signage will be installed to notify the community that they are on private Aboriginal Land, that they are under surveillance and that Wanaruah wants to protect our land. The project will also involve a range of educational and engagement activities on the theme of protecting and restoring our land.

Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council

$45,200

This project aims to remove waste from existing dumping sites and assist in the education of the local population on environmental issues. It will be part of a larger project to remove waste and secure the site, remove exotic pine trees and noxious weeds and rehabilitate the site. The project will remove large items; tidy the site of smaller items; replace/repair fences; erect signage to inform residents the site is being monitored and work with local stakeholders to coordinate future waste management measures.

Cowra Local Aboriginal Land Council

$72,000

This project aims to clean up several active dumping hotspots. It will install barriers, including fences, gates and boulders/rocks, to restrict access. Cameras and signage will also be used at key sites. Community engagement through flyers and workshops will occur to encourage project support. Following the clean-up, native bush regeneration will improve areas through weed control and planting. A yarning circle picnic area will be constructed with surrounding bush tucker and the area will be used for cultural activities to build community pride.

Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council

$53,200

This project will engage the local Coomaditchie Aboriginal community to co-design and implement strategies with the Illawarra LALC and Wollongong City Council to clean up illegally dumped waste on land surrounding the community. It will also work to monitor and manage the land to prevent future dumping and instil a sense of custodianship and connection to place that will see the land protected over many generations.

Nowra Local Aboriginal Land Council

$73,300

Nowra LALC has been experiencing issues with illegal entry by vehicles and waste dumping in many areas. This project aims to assess current dumping locations, put up signage and develop a team to remove rubbish and repair bollards/fencing. The project will also work to improve local awareness of the issues through school visits, posters, and local media outreach.

Tibooburra Local Aboriginal Land Council

$39,101

Tibooburra LALC will repair their tipper truck and bobcat, both used to prevent waste and illegal dumping of rubbish upon land owned by the Tibooburra LALC and other areas in the community. The project will also erect a hinge lock boundary fence around the Historic Reserve Campground to prevent access to known illegal dumping sites. Once fenced, a native plant revegetation program will commence. It will also set up designated waste disposal sites at Historic Reserve Campground.

Amaroo Local Aboriginal Land Council

$72,128

The project will employ six local Aboriginal people to remove built-up organic waste and clean up a heritage residence at lngleba Aboriginal Place. The project will include a site assessment by a consultant ecologist to map areas that are sensitive due to threatened flora and fauna in relation to the intended clean-up of organic waste from across the property. A plan for the clean-up will then be developed followed by the clean-up itself. Following the clean-up, several preventative activities will be undertaken to prevent further waste build-up including the installation of motion-activated cameras, development of a bush tucker garden, installation of interpretive signage across the property, and the delivery of a series of bush tucker talks, cultural exchanges and knowledge sharing events.

Bega Local Aboriginal Land Council

$73,259

This project will conduct an initial survey of 16 Bega LALC hinterland properties for rubbish dumping and a follow-up survey, assessment and evaluation of six previously cleaned-up coastal and high-country properties. It will also clean up known rubbish dumps, conduct small-scale cultural burns, install ‘no dumping’ signs and vehicle gates, fences and barriers, and purchase, install and maintain new surveillance cameras. It will train the LALC team to identify, respond to and safely deal with hazardous waste, including small-scale asbestos cement pieces, and agricultural chemicals, typically found during historic rubbish clean-up work.

Cobowra Local Aboriginal Land Council

$86,561

Cobowra LALC's fencing around their office has deteriorated over the past twenty years and needs new fencing. The installation of a new fence will protect the property from vandalism, illegal dumping, and intruders outside working hours. Cobowra LALC will provide ongoing monitoring and security to the office where a Native Walkway will be restored and rehabilitated, with the installation of security and lighting.

Menindee Local Aboriginal Land Council

$24,080

Menindee LALC will undertake a project to decrease and reduce the effects of illegal dumping on local land that has been ongoing for many years. It will also create and maintain a much safer environment to live in for the community and invite all community members to take part and become involved in cleaning up the community.

Ngambri Local Aboriginal Land Council

$75,000

Several piles of fill were illegally dumped in mid-2018 containing asbestos. The project will clean up the asbestos in accordance with a professional waste removal plan. The second stage of this project will install measures to prevent any future illegal dumping, including improved fencing and security cameras.

Ngulingah Local Aboriginal Land Council

$74,300

Ngulingah LALC will work with community members to manage illegal dumping and prevent future dumping. At Gundurimba, illegal dumping hotspots will be identified, and signage, fences and other measures will be put in to deter more dumping. Community education programs and information will be shared about how to access local services and properly manage waste. Aboriginal rangers will replant gardens in Gundurimba to promote caring for Country and prevent future dumping.

 

Under Round 3 the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) awarded over $300,000 to eight projects from seven successful New South Wales Local Aboriginal Land Councils.

Organisation Amount Project summary
Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council $20,000 This project will focus on the NSW State Heritage listed Bundian Way. An ancient Aboriginal walking path from the high country to the coast which passes through Bilgalera and the Kiah River. Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council will install signs to deter dumping behaviour. Restrict entry point with gates to prevent dumping and clean-up illegally dumped waste.
Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council $39,895 Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council has identified hotspots in an Indigenous Protected Area at Wardell located 17km from Ballina. The area has been prone to illegal dumping for over 15 years. This project will alert the community to the threat of illegal dumping through newsletters. Signage will be installed to deter dumping. Waste will be removed with clean-up works and access to the site restricted to prevent further illegal dumping.
Jerrinja Local Aboriginal Land Council $48,000 Jerrinja have developed a partnership with All Sustainable Futures to assist administer this project. Identified as a hotspot of illegal dumping activity, the Orient Point Mission is adjacent to a significant indigenous burial site. Waste will be removed from the site, road access will be restricted with gates or bollards and the road length revegetated. These prevention measures will also be coupled with community consultation and education to prevent future illegal dumping.
Jerrinja Local Aboriginal Land Council $41,000 Jerrinja have developed a partnerhsip with All Sustainable Futures to assist administer this project. Jerrinja Local Aboriginal Land Council will focus on the two sites Jerriwerri and Currambene Creek, which have been prone to illegal dumping issues over the last 30 years. A community led clean-up will be conducted. Access roads will be gated, or have bollards installed to restrict entry to enable the road length to be revegetated. Jerrinja Local Aboriginal Land Council will also engage in community consultation and an education program to prevent future illegal dumping.
Karuah Local Aboriginal Land Council $50,000 Karuah Local Aboriginal Land Council is situated upon a former Aboriginal mission and reserve adjacent to the Karuah River. This site has been subject to continuous illegal dumping of mixed waste for several years, posing a threat to the natural environment and waterways. The project involves a clean-up of dumped waste, installation of signage and fencing. Partnered with education and publicity components to raise awareness of the project.
Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council $49,980 Booninybah (Letitia Spit, Fingal Head) is a culturally and environmentally significant site to the local Aboriginal population and the wider community. Work will be undertaken to reduce the impact of illegal dumping, with an outreach strategy to the wider community. The project will include clean-up activities, an education campaign, installation of signage, bollards and earth months.
Ulladulla Local Aboriginal Land Council $30,700 For over 20 years South Street and Warden Street in Ulladulla along with Matron Porter Drive in nearby Narrawallee have been hotspots for illegal dumping. Ulladulla LALC will use funding to install prevention measures such as gates, fencing and bollards at access points. Illegally dumped waste will be removed and the sites monitored to prevent further dumping.
Yaegl Local Aboriginal Land Council $44,788 Illegal dumping has taken place over 10 years in the land surrounding Yaegl's tenant housing where many families reside. This funding will address historical illegal dumping and focus on environmental hygiene and land management. Illegally dumped waste will be cleaned up and signage and bollards will be installed to deter and prevent future dumping. The local community will be involved in planting native species and caring for country.

Under Round 2 the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) awarded $172,828 to five New South Wales Local Aboriginal Land Councils.

Organisation Amount Project summary
Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council $25,740 Covering over 52ha the Worimi Land Council’s site known as ‘The Farm’ has a long history of illegal dumping. The site comprises natural bushland and is the site of two burial grounds. Due to its significance, the land was one of the first land claim parcels applied for by the Worimi Land Council. Illegally dumped waste has been deposited on the land and has built up over time. Asbestos sheeting was reported by the Rural Fire Service leading to the site not included in recent fire reduction operations in 2014. The funding will be used to remove the waste from the site, re-string old fencing to limit vehicle access and installation of illegal dumping deterrence signage.
Gugin Gudduba Local Aboriginal Land Council $28,072 The Land Council owns two properties which are prone to illegal dumping. Illegal dumping has remained an ongoing issue over the past 20 years. It is estimated the two properties collectively hold 12 tonnes of illegally dumped waste. Illegal dumping has resulted in land degradation and is prohibiting re-vegetation at the properties. The funding will enable the removal of the illegally dumped waste at both sites and the installation of fencing to limit vehicle access at both sites. The Land Council will also install illegal dumping deterrence signage at each site.
Bega Local Aboriginal Land Council $23,533 The project is to address the ongoing illegal dumping activity at Bega Local Aboriginal Land Council land holdings. The land holdings have been subject to both historic and recent dumping of household items, farm waste and old machinery. The funding will be used to remove the illegally dumped waste from the land holdings and for the installation of gates and bollards to restrict access to the sites. Additionally, illegal dumping deterrence signage will be installed at access track entries and along property boundaries.
Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council $50,000 Gandangara Land Council has large parcels of land in the south west area of Sydney. Gandangara Land Council owns large stretches of land along Heathcote Road in Menai. This stretch of land is significantly affected by illegal dumping. Within the proposed project areas it is estimated the land holds 720 tonnes of illegally dumped waste. The type of waste dumped includes asbestos, construction and demolition, burnt out vehicles, tyres, garden waste and household waste. The funding will enable the removal of hazardous waste and household waste and the installation of fencing, gates and earth mounds to prevent illegal access to the site. Additionally the project will include two community clean-up events and the installation of illegal dumping deterrence signage and surveillance at key locations
Cobowra Local Aboriginal Land Council $45,483 Waste has been dumped at Cobowra Land Council land since mining times in the last century. The site holds a mixture of rubbish in the disused mining shafts and in more recent times vandals have dumped numerous car bodies by pushing the vehicles over the large rock formations into the Cobowra Lands. The project includes the clean-up and removal of illegally dumped waste at two sites. The funding will enable the installation of earth mounds and boulders at two access points and fencing will be installed to limit illegal access to the sites. Additionally the project will include surveillance activities, installation of illegal dumping deterrence signage and the fitting of sensor lights at main access points
      

Under Round 1 the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) awarded $253,353 to eight New South Wales Local Aboriginal Land Councils.

Organisation

Amount

Project summary
Walgett LocalAboriginal Land Council (WLALC) $50,000 The Walgett Aboriginal Land Council is custodian of two Aboriginal Reserves: the Naomi Reserve and the Gingie Reserve. These reserves have illegally dumped waste posing an environmental threat to the nearby river system. Both reserves are an Aboriginal Place of Significance, containing sacred sites and trees that require protection. The funding will be used to clean up the illegally dumped waste and will enable deterrence signage to be established around the reserves.
Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council (DLALC) $50,000 Approximately 1400 tonnes of general household waste and building materials (including bonded asbestos) have been illegally dumped on the land. Funding will be used to install barriers and gates to limit vehicle access. Once barriers are established the dumped material will be safely removed. Surveillance cameras will be installed to deter dumping at hotspots and enable monitoring. Signage will be erected alerting dumpers that surveillance cameras are present as well as detailing the associated illegal dumping fines.
Batemans Bay Local Aboriginal Land Council (BBLALC) $41,821 The BBLALC owns significant forested land west of Nelligen NSW which has a significant amount of illegal dumping. The funding will be used to clean up the illegal dumping and install signage, fencing and gates to deter any further dumping.
Biraban Local Aboriginal Land Council (BLALC) $49,993 The remote bushland is easily accessible due to broken fencing resulting in the area being prone to illegal dumping.This poses a threat to the water table with contamination seeping through the soil. The funding will be used to install fencing, gates and mounds to restricting vehicle access to the site. Once access has been restricted, the illegal dumping will be removed and signage will be erected to deter dumpers.
Merrimans Local Aboriginal Land Council (MLALC) $20,000 Up to forty vehicles and other mixed waste have been illegally dumped on the land resulting in contaminated soil and water sources and weed infestation. The grant funding will be used to clear the land of illegally dumped waste and erect fencing around the site to limit vehicle access. Additionally, the funding will be used to revegetate the area and to implement a land management plan.
Nowra Local Aboriginal Lands Council (NLALC) $19,871 Triplarina Nature Reserve and adjoining areas have been identified as illegal dumping hot spot locations within the NLALC. The illegally dumped material is posing an environmental threat to the native vegetation and local waterway. The grant funding will enable cable fencing, bollards and gates to be installed to prevent vehicle access to the site. After access to the site has been limited, the illegal dumping will be removed and signage will be installed to deter dumpers.
Wellington Local Aboriginal Land Council (WLALC) $11,000 Nanima Village, The Falls and The Shallows are Aboriginal reserves experiencing an increase in illegal dumping of household rubbish. WLALC, in partnership Wellington Council, have previously removed dumped material from these reserves. The funding will be used to install fencing designed to limit access to Nanima Village and cultural significant signage will be placed in illegal dumping hot spot locations.
La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council (LLALC) $10,668 Dumping of waste material has occurred on the property for the past 30 years.Due to minimal visitation to the property in recent years the risk of illegal dumping has increased. Recently, green waste and building materials have been illegally dumped at the site. The funding will be used to install boom gates and fencing around the site to prevent access to the land.

Past achievements

Since 2006, the ALCUP program has mobilised and invested resources and more than $2.1 million to support Local Aboriginal Land Councils working with a range of partners and supporters to protect their cultural and natural resources from illegal dumping through clean up, prevention and deterrence. 
It has resulted in:

  • 6108 tonnes of waste cleaned up
  • 1344 tonnes of waste safely disposed of at landfills (including 547 tonnes of asbestos)
  • 1706 tonnes of materials and 35 car bodies recycled
  • 3058 tonnes waste reused.

Key strategies supported

Make access difficult

At illegal dumping sites that were easily accessible to unauthorised vehicles, ALCUP funding saw fencing, gates, earth mounds, boulders and concrete bollards installed to restrict and control access. Tracks were also re-seeded once access was blocked.

Increase risks of getting caught

Increased surveillance activities, and installed signs in a number of illegal dumping hotspots identified by the project teams to deter unlawful activity. Some signs incorporate strong cultural messages, using local Aboriginal language and artwork.

Reduce opportunities for crime: don't give a reason to dump

Waste, weed and fire management issues are often intertwined. Following clean-up work, projects have included or allowed future activities, such as tree planting or cultural fire burns, to help property managers restore and maintain value of the land.

Remove excuses: educate and inform the community

Some projects are carried out in parallel with other waste and environmental education programs, such as school poster competitions. Projects have also used media and other publicity opportunities to raise awareness.

Contact us

Education & Programs Branch
Phone: 02 9995 5321
Email: aboriginal.programs@epa.nsw.gov.au

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