TIDY’s Dave Dudley wants government action on Townsville’s illegal dumping

Upset after discovering two more trailer-loads of rubbish, Townsville’s clean up champion has called on local politicians to ‘lift their game’ to tackle illegal dumping.

Pictured on state land, David Dudley, TIDY UP Townsville Coordinator, has had enough of the illegal dumping around Townsville. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Seeing red after discovering another illegal dump site blighting Townsville’s pristine bushland, clean up legend Dave Dudley has called on our political leaders to crack down on the culprits.

For the past three years, Townsville’s 2021 Citizen of the Year Mr Dudley, along with a team of dedicated volunteers in his clean-up group TIDY, have worked tirelessly to clean up after grubs between Crystal Creek to Cungula, carting tonnes of rubbish to the landfill.

The illegal dumping crusader wants action, and he wants people to be held accountable.

Last week, he was disappointed, yet unsurprised, to discover trailer-loads of rubbish dumped a few kilometres away from Hervey Range Rd.

“It was all household waste, including kids toys, baggage, bits of furniture, rubbish bin waste, and a whole lot of household junk,” Mr Dudley said.

“It’s just poor behaviour. Everyone knows this is a wrong thing. They do it at night. Very rarely will you catch a dumper during the day.

Pictured on state land, David Dudley, TIDY UP Townsville Coordinator, has had enough of the illegal dumping around Townsville. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Enkindle Village School students show off their hand painted signs that will feature at rubbish dumping sites. Picture: Leighton Smith

“These are just lazy, grubby people who are avoiding paying their dues.”

Despite his best efforts to create awareness, and devise creative solutions, such as getting school students to create signage to discourage illegal dumpers, Mr Dudley said the problem remained as bad, if not worse, as when he started.

While he believed that Townsville City Council was doing a good job tackling the problem, he was ramping up the pressure on the higher levels of government to “lift their game” and do more.

“I’m calling on our state and federal leaders here to come up with new legislation to crack down on illegal dumping, by making punishments more severe and holding people accountable,” he said.

Citizen of the Year, Dave Dudley on Australia Day 2021. Picture: Matt Taylor

Clean up crusader Dave Dudley carried out a roadside clean up between Crystal Creek and Cungulla. Picture: Supplied.

“Some changes to legislation and other proactive initiatives will take the sting out of this problem and take the fight to the dumpers instead of constantly being on the back foot.”

Herbert MP Phillip Thompson acknowledged Mr Dudley’s tireless voluntary work and advocacy for a clean and tidy Townsville.

“It would be good to see his efforts backed up by stronger prosecution efforts by the Townsville City Council and harsher penalties from the State Government,” Mr Thompson said.

“The former Coalition Government was instrumental in bringing the responsible state ministers together to sign the National Waste Policy Action Plan. This can only be achieved with tougher action on illegal dumping.”

Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson.

Hinchinbrook MP and Katter’s Australian Party deputy leader Nick Dametto.

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto said he was deeply concerned about the practice of illegal dumping, which continued to stain the Townsville region.

“From what I can see there is no easy fix or single deterrent to stop people who choose to dump illegally,” Mr Dametto said.

“I would support harsher penalties but believe there are better ways to change people’s behaviours. Hefty fines can work as a deterrent, but I see education and easy access to bins and cheap or free dumping as a more proactive solution.

“The state is making it more expensive to dump waste. I would prefer to call on the State Government to alleviate rubbish disposal levies or direct the funds raised back into the communities to fund clean-up programs or free dump days.”

Townsville MP Scott Stewart thanked local clean up groups such as TIDY for their amazing work in the community.

Environment Minister Leanne Linard and Townsville MP Scott Stewart said they were working to address the illegal dumping problem.

“People that dump waste illegally need to take a long hard look at themselves and the damage they are doing to our environment,” Mr Stewart said.

“We will always work hard with the local government and groups like TIDY to tackle this issue together.”

Environment Minister Leanne Linard shared Dave Dudley’s frustration with the ongoing illegal dumping problem.

“Illegal dumping is unacceptable and … a serious offence, with fines ranging from $2300 up to $10,781, and higher penalties if the matter goes to court,” Ms Linard said.

“Dave is right in that it will take a co-ordinated approach to combat illegal dumping, and I thank him for his efforts, and those of his volunteers, to address the issue locally in Townsville.”

Enkindle Village School students learn how to find clues to establish the identity of illegal dumpers. Picture: Leighton Smith

The Department of Environment and Science partners with Townsville City Council to disrupt and deter illegal dumping through the Local Government Illegal Dumping Partnerships Program.”

TCC received $630,00 in the first round of the program and $180,000 in round two, supporting the employment of a compliance officer for two more years.

“The department has also delivered other initiatives in the Townsville region to reduce littering and illegal dumping including funding the council to clean up litter hot spots and undertake prevention strategies such as signage, fencing, and surveillance and supporting a local engagement network with council and other stakeholders to directly address illegal dumping issues,” she said.

To report illegal dumping, visit council’s website.

Originally published as TIDY’s Dave Dudley wants government action on Townsville’s illegal dumping