State Sustainability, Environment and Conservation Minister Paul Caica said $814,000 a year would be allocated for the unit, whose sole responsibility would be to identify, investigate and stop illegal waste dumping using intelligence, covert surveillance and other investigative techniques.

“Illegal dumping is not only ugly, but it also pollutes our waters and land and can harm the health of our communities, especially when hazardous chemicals or asbestos are involved,” he said.

“It is well known that South Australia is a leader in waste management and recycling and while most businesses do the right thing, there are some people who continue to ignore the warnings and dump their waste illegally.

“Not only is this breaking the law, but it is also undermining the legitimate waste operators who dispose of their waste in a safe manner and the investments made by industry.”

While the unit will not deal with smaller roadside car boot dumping and dumping of domestic waste, the State Government plans to work with local and State Government agencies to target illegal waste activities such as illegal landfill, illegal dumping of hazardous waste, commercial quantities of demolition waste, liquid waste, industrial waste and businesses operating without a licence.

Mr Caica said the EPA takes a zero-tolerance approach to illegal dumping and offenders would be forced to pay full clean-up costs as well as penalties imposed through the court system.

“Consumers have clear expectations that industries and businesses will do the right thing for the benefit of the community, the environment and future generations and dispose of their waste responsibly,” he said.