Big Brother to bust dumpers

COUNCIL is set to launch a crackdown on illegal dumping with a dedicated team of officers deploying covert cameras across the Gold Coast.

Gold Coast City Council estimates people dumping their trash (pictured) in bushland and suburban streets is costing ratepayers about $7 million annually.

Mayor Tom Tate, launching the crackdown, said: “It is a blight on our city and offenders can be fined or prosecuted.’’

The Bulletin in February warned illegal dumping was on the increase in the hinterland and tipped to “go through the roof” as the council grappled with what it described as a state government waste funding black hole.

Last month, the Department of Transport and Main Roads revealed huge amounts of dumped illegal asbestos had delayed the building of the Varsity Lakes-to-Tugun section of the M1.

More than 44,000 tonnes of the fibrous material, which can cause cancer, were found during construction.

The council says it is facing a $140m budget blow out across the next eight years as Labor reforms Queensland’s system of levies and recycling grants.

Council officers have flagged with councillors the options of fees at tip gates to cover the shortfall.

Bushland management teams retrieving illegally dumped waste, aware of the funding stand-off, fear they will be confronted with increasingly dangerous removal jobs.

Habitat management director Matt Keys said: “Often we find that the waste is full of potential nasties.”

“We’ve come across … asbestos, solvents, acids, paints, soiled clothing and syringes too,” he said.

Council will position cameras “to maximise opportunities to identify illegal dumping”.

“The cameras can operate in extremely low light and record activities as well as vehicle registration numbers, to assist with investigations,” Cr Tate said.

A dedicated fourperson team within the council’s Health and Regulatory Services branch will be tasked to investigate illegal dumping.

Surveillance will be conducted 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

The council’s investigations have led to 384 fines being issued since November 2019.

The fines for illegal dumping will set offenders back up to $2300, with penalties increasing to $10,781 for offending businesses.

The 2022-23 City budget includes a $10 annual waste levy for ratepayers — $5 per rate notice period.

“This allows everyone to dispose of their non-commercial waste at our City landfill and transfer sites, free of charge. This fee is invested directly into recycling education campaigns. In every sense, there is no reason for anyone to illegally dump waste in our city,” Cr Tate said.

Anyone illegally dumping can be reported via the City’s Report a Problem App.