- The Crisafulli Government is investing almost $14 million to help 52 Queensland councils strengthen enforcement, surveillance and investigative capabilities in a statewide crackdown on illegal dumping.
- New night-time surveillance to target dumping hotspots and help catch offenders operating under the cover of darkness.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering better services through a stronger economy by helping councils crack down on illegal dumping and protect Queensland’s environment after Labor’s decade of decline.
The Crisafulli Government is putting illegal dumpers on notice, backing 52 councils with expanded surveillance technology and targeted night-time operations to catch offenders and clean up local communities.
Illegal dumping continues to place significant pressure on Queensland communities, with councils cleaning up 13,107 tonnes of illegally dumped waste last year, the equivalent of more than 1,200 garbage truck loads.
The Crisafulli Government is investing $13.7 million over the next three years through the Fighting Illegal Dumping Partnership Program, which means councils from Cape York to the Gold Coast will be supported to strengthen compliance, surveillance, enforcement and investigative capabilities.
The Crisafulli Government is taking action to help councils crack down on illegal dumping and protect Queensland’s environment after years of increasing waste going to landfill under the former Labor Government.
As the lead agencies responsible for managing illegal dumping in their local communities, councils will use the funding to employ dedicated Illegal Dumping Compliance Officers and invest in advanced surveillance equipment, compliance signage and investigative tools designed to identify offenders and build enforcement cases.
In a major escalation of enforcement efforts, almost half of the funded projects will deploy targeted night-time surveillance in known illegal dumping hotspots, helping councils detect offenders operating under the cover of darkness and gather evidence to support compliance action.
The expanded program is expected to significantly improve councils’ ability to detect offences, investigate incidents and take enforcement action, while reducing environmental harm and clean-up costs for ratepayers.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said the funding would strengthen councils’ ability to catch illegal dumpers and hold them accountable.
“Illegal dumping is environmental vandalism that harms local communities, damages the environment and leaves ratepayers footing the bill,” Minister Powell said.
“Councils lead the fight against illegal dumping in their communities, and the Crisafulli Government is backing 52 councils with the resources they need to catch offenders and hold them accountable.
“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.”
