COVER YOUR LOAD
Glen Innes Severn Council requests residents to help protect the environment and other road users by covering loads when taking rubbish to landfill sites, or face fines.
Director of Development and Environmental Services, Graham Price, said Section 49C of the Protection of the Environmental Operations Act 1997 states that waste must be covered during transportation. "If you are transporting waste, you must ensure your load is completely covered and tied down with a tarpaulin, cargo net, or hockey strap," he explained. "Uncovered or unrestrained loads cause accidents. They can generate dust that causes breathing and vision problems for other road users. Heavy objects, such as bricks or concrete, can dislodge from loads that aren't covered, and damage other vehicles or cause a crash."
Waste material from uncovered loads can also spill onto the road or into other residents' yards, and create litter and pollution. "Dust, soil and litter that escape from uncovered vehicles can wash into stormwater drains and pollute waterways," said Mr Price.
Mr Price said that, in accordance with the Road Rules 292(a), residents who fail to cover loads could be fined over $320. "Council rangers will be doing spot checks at all the landfill sites in the Local Government Area (LGA)," he said. "Residents who have not adequately covered loads of waste face a fine of over $320. The only exception is loads of waste consisting solely of tyres or scrap metal."
The fine does not just apply to uncovered rubbish, but to any load being transported. "At this time of year, many people are taking loads of firewood home," Mr Price said. "It is important to make sure the wood is covered and strapped down, so that it doesn't fly off. Each year, Australians are injured or killed in crashes caused by uncovered and unrestrained loads. Make sure you take the necessary steps to avoid accidents occurring."
A community safety brochure that explains the "Cover Your Load" campaign is available at landfill sites and the Council offices in Grey Street and Church Street.
Contact details
Communications/Media Officer
council@gisc.nsw.gov.au
