Solar-powered CCTV cameras could be employed in south Armagh in a bid to catch those responsible for an increase in illegal dumping.
A notice of motion – which had previously been deferred from January – is set to be debated by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
It is being tabled by Sinn Fein Councillor Cathal King, and will also encourage cross-party support for cross-border co-operation to combat the scourge of dumping.
Louth County Council has recently introduced solar-powered cameras as part of its anti-dumping strategy.
And Councillor King believes that “similar measures should be explored locally”.
His motion asks that council recognises “the ongoing issue of illegal dumping across our district and the associated environmental, health and financial costs”.
Councillor King is also asking for council to investigate the “feasibility of deploying solar-powered CCTV at known dumping hotspots within Newry Mourne Down and South Armagh”.
And he is further calling on the local authority to engage with Louth County Council to “learn from their approach, and bring forward a report detailing potential locations, costs, funding and legal considerations, with a view to implementing this as part of a wider anti-dumping initiative”.
If the motion proves successful, the council would also write to Environment Minister Andrew Muir, requesting information on “all available support and funding for such measures to tackle illegal dumping effectively across the district”.
In a separate report to committee, councillors have been advised that the Environment Department has recently strengthened its operational capacity with the recruitment of a head of waste processing, dogs and enforcement and an education and enforcement officer.
It adds: “These appointments provide a more coordinated and proactive approach to tackling environmental crime, improving community engagement and delivering consistent enforcement across the district.”
Responsibility sits within the three new roles and will form a core element of the council’s Education and Enforcement Plan 2026-2029.
The focus over the three-year period would be on reducing incidents of illegal dumping through targeted education and ‘behaviour change campaigns’, strengthening enforcement activity and “enhancing collaboration with internal teams, neighbouring councils and external partners”.
The council would also “work closely with Louth County Council, drawing on their experience in deploying similar technologies”.
The notice of motion is due to be debated at the sustainability and environment committee when it sits next Wednesday, February 18.
