Push on to control illegal dumping in Shire
Douglas rubbish
Stamping out illegal dumping across Douglas Shire hot spots is the aim of a program in the process of being updated by the council.
A report released by the DSC last week states a “combination of education, investigation, and enforcement” will be used to help control the practice, which remains widespread across the district, state and country.
“The illegal dumping program continues to target illegal dumping and littering across the Shire,” the report reads.
The aim of the program is to change people’s behaviour to help “reduce littering and illegal dumping in hot spot locations”.
Queenslanders face tough fines if caught dumping illegally, as outlined by the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act of 2011.
The fine for an individual illegally dumping less than 2500 litres of rubbish is about $2700, and dumping more than that will attract a minimum penalty of about $3300.
For corporations, the penalty for less than 2500 litres is about $8300, and more than that attracts a minimum fine of about $12,500.
During a 2020/21 campaign to crack down on illegal dumping, close to 100 incidents were recorded and investigated by the DSC, including seven tonnes found near Port Douglas which included car bodies, a mattress and household goods.
The most prevalent forms of illegal dumping at that time were household waste (45 per cent), green waste (32 per cent) and car waste (7 per cent).
The council spends at least $55,000 per year battling illegal dumping.
If you plan to report illegal dumping, you are advised not to approach the people who are illegally dumping; do not let the illegal dumpers know you are there, and; do not touch the illegally dumped material.
You can report illegal dumping by phoning the council on 0740 999 444.
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