Danger cordon for green rubbish bin with lithium battery hazard warning stickers on it in Southport

A warning cordon set up around a green rubbish bin in a public park area has left passersby scratching their heads - but council promises to act. Read why it has been isolated

The cordoned off rubbish bin just metres from the scene of a caravan fire last week on Marine Parade, Southport, near the Southport Bowls Club. It remained cordoned off on Wednesday. Picture: Ryan Keen

A hazard cordon set up around a green rubbish bin in a public park area has left passersby scratching their heads - but council is promising to act.

Multiple people have been seen this week looking curiously at the standard-issue bin surrounded by hazard tape on the grassed area next to the Queens Park Tennis Centre and Southport Bowls Club.

It comes after a dramatic caravan fire in the area last week. On closer inspection the untouched rubbish bin - just metres from the scene - is covered in a sticker saying “warning - damaged lithium batter”.

It adds: “Store away from buildings or other vehicles as fire may occur at anytime without warning.”

On 22 July a lithium battery inside a family caravan nearby caught fire with three people being taken to hospital as a result.

Following a dramatic caravan fire on the Gold Coast last week, an untouched rubbish bin has been cordoned off just metres from the scene, warning of a lithium battery hazard. Picture: Ryan Keen

At the time Southport Fire and Rescue station officer David Richards said lithium batteries were a new hazard and they were taking extra precautions to ensure public safety.

“We isolated the area as we are very cautious with the toxic gases that are given off from the solar batteries.

“There’s always a risk of smoke inhalation but the added risk with these types of batteries is they do give off particularly toxic gases.

“[We] will now be working with the Gold Coast City Council Cleanaway over the next 24 hours to stabilise those batteries,” he said.

On Wednesday, July 31, a City of Gold Coast spokesperson said: “The City will investigate the matter and arrange safe removal of the bin.”

Lithium batteries can cause fires during transport or at landfills and recyclers and it is unknown how long the bin will remain in this location before it can be moved.

The City of Gold Coast has said it will “investigate the matter”. Picture: Ryan Keen