Illegal dumpers held to account

The City has issued $75,000 in fines to those responsible for illegally dumping more than 1500 tyres across the Gold Coast late last year, sending a strong message to those breaking the law.

The City will also launch court action in relation to the offences which occurred from Pimpama in the north to Reedy Creek in the south and as far west as Clagiraba.

Lifestyle and Community Committee Chair Hermann Vorster said the City wouldn’t tolerate this kind of environmental vandalism and said that in this case nine separate fines were issued.

“Enough is enough. Illegal dumping is a serious and growing issue in this city and we are determined to stamp it out,” Cr Vorster said.

“The message is loud and clear. If you dump your rubbish in our city illegally, you will get caught and you will be fined.”

He applauded the efforts of officers who undertook the complex three-month investigation to reach this point and reminded individuals choosing to illegally dump any material can expect to be fined up to $9,000 and companies a maximum of $650,000. This is on top of clean-up costs.

Cr Vorster said the announcement of these prosecutions coincided with Committee today endorsing the new Litter and Illegal Dumping Reduction plan.

The intent of the plan is to provide better communications, information, services and infrastructure that will help individuals not to litter and reinforcing the preferred behaviours.

He said the plan had eleven projects which would target specific precinct types and behaviours.

Note: Tyres can be lawfully disposed of at Reedy Creek or Molendinar Waste and Recycling Centres.