Could drones help curb Geelong’s dumping problem?

Key points

• The City of Greater Geelong is joining a Victorian state taskforce to target illegal dumping hotspots. The $21.5 million taskforce uses drones with sensors that can find rubbish hidden under vegetation or buried underground, along with long-range cameras.
• Environment Minister Jaclyn Symes said the technology would help catch offenders. Greater Geelong has received more than 6,600 requests to remove dumped rubbish in 2024-25, a figure that has risen each year since 2021.
• Individuals face fines of up to about $800,000 or five years in prison, and businesses face penalties of up to $3.95 million.