Illegal dumping taskforce boosted

Funding keeps City of Logan's streets clean

A campaign to combat illegal dumping and keep City of Logan streets clean and free of waste has received a timely boost.

City Lifestyle Chair Councillor Laurie Koranski said Council had been successful in an application for Queensland Government funding of $174,804 under the Illegal Dumping Partnerships Program.

The funding will enable Logan City Council’s illegal dumping taskforce to continue by employing two enforcement officers for another year.

“These officers will continue working as illegal dumping field investigators undertaking surveillance and enforcement activities,” Cr Koranski said.

“We look forward to these officers continuing to target illegal dumping offenders and unacceptable behaviour throughout the city.”

The taskforce, formed by Council as a pilot program in 2020 and further funded through a $190,000 allocation in the 2021/2022 Budget, has already issued significant penalties and clean-up orders in response to dumping offences.

Recently, covert surveillance measures were used to identify 21 significant offenders at dumping hotspots. Penalties and clean-up orders were issued.

The tough enforcement action prompted several of the identified dumpers to remove their illegally dumped waste at their own cost.

Council encourages residents to report illegal dumping.

Cr Koranski said the taskforce actions were supported by community feedback to Council in a recent survey of a group of residents.

“Our survey found that 94 per cent of respondents felt illegal dumping damages city image and pride,” Cr Koranski said.

The taskforce is a key component of a 2022 campaign to combat illegal dumping.

Levels of illegal dumping and littering have increased across the community following the Queensland Government’s introduction of a waste levy in 2019.

As part of the taskforce’s evolution, a draft Illegal Dumping and Litter Enforcement Strategy 2022-2025 has been prepared.

This will be a roadmap for tackling illegal dumping through a range of education and enforcement measures designed to change community behaviour.

Consultation with internal stakeholders on the strategy is about to commence.

This strategy, together with a future funding proposal to support the life of the roadmap, will be put to Council for consideration shortly.