The Queensland Government has launched a pilot program in Townsville aimed at tackling illegal dumping through increased patrols, surveillance and enforcement activities.
Delivered in partnership with Townsville City Council, the program will focus on known dumping hotspots and include night-time patrols and compliance operations designed to catch offenders in the act.
Funding from the State Government will support council-led delivery of the initiative, with the program intended to strengthen local enforcement efforts and improve environmental outcomes across the region.
The pilot will also complement the Government’s Fighting Illegal Dumping Partnership Program, which aims to provide councils across Queensland with additional resources to address illegal dumping in their communities.
Queensland Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said illegal dumping remained a major issue for communities and the environment.
“Illegal dumping is a blight on our environment and a slap in the face to every Queenslander who does the right thing,” Powell said.
Townsville Deputy Mayor Suzy Batkovic said the activity continued to affect the city and placed financial pressure on council and ratepayers.
“Illegal dumping is everyone’s problem, and it has absolutely no place in our community,” Batkovic said.
She said the additional funding would allow council to expand operations into night-time patrols, helping deter and identify offenders who often dump waste under the cover of darkness.
State Member for Townsville Adam Baillie said the community had called for stronger action on this illegal for years, while Member for Thuringowa Natalie Marr said local residents had already been working to address the issue through community clean-up efforts.
Member for Mundingburra Janelle Poole said residents were frustrated by waste being dumped on roadsides, public land and outside private properties, while Member for Hinchinbrook Wayde Chiesa said the pilot would introduce stronger enforcement measures to reduce illegal dumping and protect the environment.