Major boost in dumping battle

Moreton Bay’s battle against illegal dumping has been given almost $300,000 over three years to help catch offenders and clean-up communities.

The State Government’s Fighting Illegal Dumping Partnership Program is funding 52 Queensland councils - including Moreton Bay - to the tune of $13.7 million.

Moreton Bay City Council’s $295,000 will help increase illegal dumping investigations, buy surveillance equipment and support illegal dumping officers.

A Council spokesperson said this grant-funded position forms part of Council's broader illegal dumping enforcement team, which has three dedicated illegal dumping officers.

The dedicated officers are backed up by additional investigators and rangers as part of Council’s efforts to crack down on illegal dumping.

Illegal dumping is a major issue in City of Moreton Bay with Council officers investigating 1129 reports of illegal dumping sites in the last year.

Since January 1, Council has issued approximately 32 infringements totalling more than $45,000 for illegal dumping offences.

Hotspots include high density areas such as unit complexes, new developments, parks and reserves, and state land such as national parks, forest plantations and habitat reserves.

Last year Queensland councils cleaned-up 13,107 tonnes of illegally dumped waste - which was equivalent to 1200 garbage trucks.

Moreton Bay’s funding matches Cairns, Gold Coast, Rockhampton, Mackay and Brisbane City Councils; Toowoomba receives $380,000, Somerset $336,000; Sunshine Coast and Townsville $270,000 each.

“Illegal dumping is environmental vandalism that harms local communities, damages the environment and leaves ratepayers footing the bill,” Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said.

“A key focus of this funding is the rollout of targeted night-time surveillance in known dumping hotspots, helping councils detect offenders who operate under the cover of darkness and gather the evidence needed to prosecute them.

“The message is clear: if you illegally dump waste in Queensland, there is a greater chance you will be caught, investigated and held accountable.”

Anyone with information, imagery or CCTV footage of illegal dumping is asked to report the matter by downloading Council’s Snap Send Solve app or report online.

Also funded were:

• Toowoomba Regional Council - $380,000 – two dedicated illegal dumping officers to prevent, monitor and respond to illegal dumping which is creating an elevated risk of fire and disease and polluting creeks and streams used for irrigation of crops and drinking water for livestock.

• Somerset Regional Council - $335,948 – a dedicated illegal dumping officer appointed for three years to respond to and investigate reports of illegal dumping, particularly around waterway, forest areas and agricultural land.

• Cairns Regional Council - $295,000 – a dedicated illegal dumping officer for three years to conduct deterrence and preventative activities surrounding rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, including night-time patrols in hot spot areas.

• Gold Coast City Council - $295,000 – A dedicated illegal dumping officer for three years to engage in preventative, detection and compliance activities, including night-time patrols in hot spot areas.

• Rockhampton Regional Council - $295,000 – a dedicated illegal dumping officer for three years to perform routine patrols, investigate incidents and pursue enforcement activities, including night-time patrols in hot spot areas.

• Mackay Regional Council - $294,145 – A dedicated illegal dumping officer for three years to implement prevention measures, including night-time patrols in current and emerging hot spot areas.

• Brisbane City Council - $292,709 – deliver a targeted campaign to reduce dumping at hotspots using surveillance and signage alongside enforcement, including night-time patrols in hot spot areas.

• Bundaberg Regional Council - $270,000 – focus on minimising the illegal dumping of tyres, household items and commercial waste with a dedicated illegal dumping officer for three years to investigate and undertake patrols to enforce compliance.

• Sunshine Coast Regional Council - $270,000 – a dedicated illegal dumping officer for three years to do investigations to detect offenders, hotspots and install monitoring equipment to enforce compliance.

• Townsville City Council - $270,000 – a dedicated illegal dumping officer for three to deliver coordinated compliance across identified hotspots.