Council commends community for work well done
Lockyer Valley Regional Council has applauded the community for making positive choices when it comes to illegal dumping but said there is still room for improvement.
Lockyer Valley Regional Council Waste Management Portfolio Councillor Julie Reck said while there were fewer incidences, Council had still recorded 887 wheelie bins-worth of illegally dumped waste to date this financial year.
“That is in comparison to more than 1200 wheelie bins-worth this time last year.
“While we recognise not everyone is making the responsible choice when it comes to managing their waste, this year’s statistics are considerably better than those recorded last year.
“In 2023-2024, to date, Council has issued seven infringements and four warnings, totalling more than $30,000.
“On one occasion, the identified offender was required to pay the costs associated with rehabilitating the land where they had illegally dumped the materials, which was more than $15,000.
“In 2022 – 2023, 13 infringements and eight warnings were issued, at a cost of more than $21,000.
“Our officers are committed to cracking down on illegal dumping and this just goes to show the financial cost of this irresponsible action simply isn’t worth it,” Cr Reck said.
Council classifies illegal dumping as the unlawful deposit of waste items with a total of 200 litres or more in volume.
Illegal dumping can not only cause chemical and physical pollution in our neighbourhoods and waterways, but also spreads pests and weeds and acts as a breeding ground for vermin.
“In addition to the region’s highly valued agricultural focus, the Lockyer Valley is home to a growing residential population and a wide variety of flora and fauna and it’s vital we keep the region clean, but we need the help of residents to make sure this continues.
“As a Council, we are committed to working with the community and will continue to look at the illegal dumping hot spots.
“If you witness an illegal dumping incident or find illegally dumped material, report it to Council,” Cr Reck said.
For more information on how to responsibly dispose of your waste, contact Council on 1300 005 872 or visit www.lockyervalley.qld.gov.au
