Revealed: Govt using drones to catch law-breakers

A Brisbane property owner accused of illegally hoarding up to 30,000 car tyres has been sprung by suspicious government officials who put a drone up to spy on his property after they didn’t believe the story he gave them. SEE THE PHOTOS

A DES drone captured this image of car bodies and an estimated 25,000 to 27,000 tyres at Willawong.

A Brisbane property owner has been given a month to get rid of a massive stockpile of 30,000 car tyres spotted with a government drone.

Police, firefighters and the Department of Environment and Science inspected a property at Willawong several weeks ago after a tip-off to the DES pollution hotline.

The owner showed them about 3000 tyres and a number of car bodies, but suspicious compliance officers then sent up a drone.

They found another 25,000 to 27,000 tyres and hundreds of car bodies on a nearby property belonging to the man.

He was hit with two direction notices, one on June 3 and another on June 17, to immediately stop collecting “end of life’’ tyres and to get rid of the stockpiles.

Car tyres piled up at the site in Willawong which DES is investigating.

The sting comes after a spate of similar tyre dumps was exposed across Queensland last year, leading to a report into the practice.

“It is estimated there are between 20,000-30,000 used tyres on the premises, which is also being used for a number of other alleged unlawful activities, including storage of automotive and other types of waste,’’ DES said in a statement.

“Tyre stockpiles are a serious fire hazard. Unlawful used tyre stockpiles and unlawful storage of waste concern the community, and concern DES.

“Unlawful waste activities can contaminate land and nearby waterways and damage Queensland’s beautiful environment.’’

A DES compliance officer with some of the 3000 tyres found on one of the two properties.

Car bodies piled up at one of the sites at Willawong which DES is investigating.

The Sherbrooke Rd properties are near Oxley Creek, which Brisbane City Council has earmarked for a future, major clean-up and transformation into a green corridor.

They are listed for sale, by negotiation.

Image captured by a DES drone of about 3000 tyres stored at one of the Willawong sites.

DES said that despite the COVID lockdown, it had continued its enforcement operations.

“As the environmental regulator, DES takes its compliance responsibilities seriously,’’ it said.

“Where compliance issues are identified, DES will take strong enforcement action.’’

To report pollution incidents phone the 24/7 Pollution Hotline on 1300 130 372 or email: [e-mail]