Community groups are encouraged to apply for a share in the money to clean up the region.

A total of $1.2 million is available in NSW government community grants and $500,000 under the Council Litter Grant program.

While the Wingecarribee Shire Council successfully secured the grant in 2018, through a joint submission with Illawarra and Shoalhaven councils, they have not applied this year.

"As with all grants and funding opportunities, council investigates and assesses them on their individual merits, opportunities and resourcing capabilities," a council spokesperson said.

"As we secured it last year a decision was taken to look at different avenues this year."

The spokesperson said litter in the Southern Highlands was not particularly an issue and by no means worse than neighbouring councils.

"When compared with our immediate... neighbours litter in the Highlands is not as big an issue, however, we acknowledge there's always room for improvement," they said.

The spokesperson said apart from being an ugly blight on the environment and a risk to public health, illegal dumping cost the shire thousands of dollars in clean-up each year.

"Illegal dumping is more of an issue, as opposed to littering," they said.

"The council is aware of a number of sites or hotspots where illegal dumping has previously occurred."

They said the council addressed the issue through several channels which included community information, signage, a dedicated regional illegal dumping officer and used technology such as motion-sensor cameras to help identify offenders.

The council said illegal dumping locations were often based in bushland away from the attention of immediate passersby.

"Other incidents are more often than not opportunistic," they said.

In 2018, as a result of the successful grant submission, the council rolled out a campaign where people dressed up as cockroaches spoke to members of the community and handed out information on how to report a tosser.

Resource Recovery director Amanda Kane said community groups and councils were a crucial part in tackling and preventing litter.

"It's locals who know the litter hotspots and locals who can see practical and effective solutions," Ms Kane said.

"Men's sheds, scout groups, sports clubs - all types of not-for-profit organisations can put their hand up and apply for these grants to make a real change in their community when it comes to litter.

"These grants will enable community groups and councils to take action in their suburbs."

Penalties for illegal dumping range from $2000 for individuals to $15,000 for corporations and include potential jail time.

To report any incidents of illegal dumping visit ridonline.epa.nsw.gov.au or phone the EPA Environment Line on 131 555.

Visit www.epa.nsw.gov.au/working-together/grants/litter-program for more information.

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