Clampdown on "off-the-books" trade

Calls have been made to clampdown on the “rampant” theft of copper wire, which has cost Moreton Bay City Council half-a-million dollars.

Mayor Peter Flannery is urging the State Government to keep its election commitment and introduce legislation targeting copper theft.

He said the scourge is putting public safety at risk as streets and sporting clubs across Southeast Queensland are repeatedly plunged into darkness.

“In the lead up to last year’s election, the LNP said Queensland was ground zero for cost of living and crime as it announced it would introduce practical new laws to crack down on ‘off the books’ scrap metal trade,” the Mayor said.

“For more than two years we’ve been pushing for a simple legislative change, which would effectively kill the resale market for stolen copper immediately.

“While we understand the new government has a substantial legislative agenda to deliver, costly copper theft will continue to run rampant until action is taken.”

Since October 2022, there have been at least 31 wire thefts or attempted thefts on Council-owned assets - mostly traffic lights, sports clubs and parks.

Varying amounts of wire and materials have been stolen and since 2021 it has cost Council around $500,000 to repair damage. 

This is does not include the cost of Council staff time or the impact on local organisations, community groups and volunteers.

Across Queensland, there were around 700 reported incidents of copper wire theft last year, leaving damage/repair bills totalling $4.5 million.

“Addressing a legislative loophole would stamp out what’s become a lucrative crime, help the state’s coffers and stop wasting ratepayer dollars,” the Mayor said.

Council wants the State Government to immediately amend the Second-Hand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act 2003, and bring Queensland in line with other states:

• Prohibit scrap metal dealers from paying cash for scrap metal

• Require scrap metal dealers to report suspicious transactions to the police

• Require scrap metal dealers to keep and maintain records of transactions for buying scrap metal, including details of the person selling the scrap metal

• Reflect contemporary comparable legislation in other jurisdictions (for example NSW Scrap Metal Industry Act 2016).

The call has been backed by the Local Government Association of Queensland and led to a parliamentary inquiry under the previous government in 2023.

“Current legislation allows thieves to take stolen copper to a pawn broker without identification and receive a cash payment,” Mayor Flannery said.

“We’re stuck in a circuit of theft and repair – this situation cannot continue.

“Thieves are putting lives at risk, including their own, as they remove live wires, which is leaving streets and highways in the dark and kids unable to play sport at night.”

Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway said a ‘no cash for scrap scheme’, like that in NSW, would save money and potentially lives.

“The State Government can implement a solution to end the resale market for stolen copper which will be far more effective than any amount of CCTV, policing or other deterrents that cost taxpayers significantly,” she said.