- The Crisafulli Government to deliver a targeted pilot to catch illegal dumpers in the act.
- Funding for Townsville City Council to increase patrols, surveillance, and increased enforcement in known dumping hot spots.
- Labor oversaw a decade of decline and chaos, leaving Townsville in an illegal dumping mess.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland's future and a better lifestyle through a stronger economy.
The Crisafulli Government is getting on with the job of protecting Townsville's environment, launching a targeted pilot program to catch illegal dumpers in the act and clean up local communities.
The pilot, funded by the Crisafulli Government and delivered in partnership with Townsville City Council, will put local boots on the ground - recognising councils are best placed to lead enforcement in their communities.
Funding will be provided to Townsville City Council to undertake the operational delivery of the program, including night-time patrols, surveillance operations and increased compliance activity across known illegal dumping hotspots.
It's just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland's future and a better lifestyle through a stronger economy, after a decade of decline under Labor.
Illegal dumping was allowed to fester under the former Labor Government, with waste sent to landfill having steadily increased year-on-year since 2015.
The pilot program will complement the Crisafulli Government's new Fighting Illegal Dumping Partnership Program, which ensures local councils across Queensland have the resources they need to effectively tackle illegal dumping within their regions.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said the message was simple - if you dump illegally, you will be caught.
"Illegal dumping is a blight on our environment and a slap in the face to every Queenslander who does the right thing," Minister Powell said.
"We're backing Townsville with real action - putting resources in the hands of council, with boots on the ground and eyes on hotspots to catch offenders in the act."
Member for Thuringowa Natalie Marr said that Townsville wanted to do the right thing but needed a government that enabled them.
"Locals have been trying to tackle this problem alone, spending weekends clearing up what they could but need the backing of the government to make a real difference," Ms Marr said.
Member for Townsville Adam Baillie said this was another way the Crisafulli Government was delivering for the people of Townsville.
"Townsville has called for stronger action on illegal dumping for years, and I'm proud to help deliver this pilot program," Mr Baillie said.
Member for Mundingburra Janelle Poole said that locals were sick of seeing litter and waste dumped on the sides of roads, on publicly owned land and outside private property.
"Townsville is a beautiful city and to see our natural environment tarnished by this disgusting act is just not good enough," Ms Poole said.
"Illegal dumping is not a minor offence, and law-abiding residents shouldn't have to clean up after criminals, which is why the Crisafulli Government is committed to restoring standards, increasing patrols and equipping council with the resources they need to tackle illegal dumping."
Member for Hinchinbrook Wayde Chiesa said that he was pleased to see the implementation of such practical measures to reduce waste.
"This pilot program puts stronger enforcement and real action in place to curb illegal dumping and protect our environment," Mr Chiesa said.
Deputy Mayor Suzy Batkovic said illegal dumping continued to be a problem across the Townsville footprint and was a blight on the community.
"Illegal dumping is everyone's problem, and it has absolutely no place in our community," Cr Batkovic said.
"I'd like to acknowledge the State for backing Council's efforts to crack down on this disgusting behaviour.
"Illegal dumping doesn't just happen during the day, offenders often hide under the cover of darkness. This funding will allow Council to expand its resources so staff can operate at night to help deter and catch offenders in the act.
"Managing illegal dumping is expensive and without the State's support ratepayers would be left to foot the entire bill. I'd like to thank our local members of parliament for recognising the impact this has on our community and advocating for this funding on Council's behalf."
