Illegal waste dumping at Townsville Port Access Reserve disgusts Queensland park rangers
A series of repulsive photographs has revealed the scale of illegal dumping at a Townsville reserve, with park rangers warning of massive fines for those responsible.
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A series of revolting photographs has revealed the scale of illegal dumping at a Townsville reserve, with park rangers warning of massive fines for offenders.
“At the Townsville Port Access Reserve, rangers and locals have cleaned up rusted car bodies, household rubbish, tyres and even retrieved a barnacle-covered car from Stuart Creek,” the Department of Environment and Science said on Monday.
“We have also removed a freezer full of rotting food and other contaminants from the reserve, including discarded oil and construction waste.”
DES said it was cracking-down and investigating all illegal dumping.
Senior Conservation Officer Craig Dunk said alleged culprits had little respect for the environment.
“In the past few months, rangers from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, along with local volunteers, have really gotten our hands dirty by cleaning up other people’s mess.”
Mr Dunk said DES and rangers investigated every act of illegal dumping “at the reserve and across other land managed by QPWS in the wider Townsville region”.
“The community shouldn’t have to tolerate illegal dumping, so we conduct thorough, meticulous investigations,” he said.
“We routinely receive information from members of the public who provide details including the time and location to the department about illegal dumpers.”
Mr Dunk said illegal dumping was a pollution hazard.
“It can damage the natural and cultural values of an area, can cause injuries to people and wildlife and can also be a fire hazard,” he said.
“Our crackdown on illegal dumping in the Townsville region is making a real difference to the environment, and the community is getting the message that illegal dumping is not tolerated.”
Mr Dunk said Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) had recently been issued to people in the Townsville region for illegal dumping offences.
“These PINs can cost people more than $2000, so we recommend that people take their rubbish to the tip if they want to avoid a fine.”
He said it was often easy to track down alleged offenders.
“One personal grooming business in the Townsville region was advised that waste dumped at the reserve appeared to belong to them,” he said.
“The following day, when rangers conducted another inspection of the reserve, the business had removed the waste.
The maximum penalty for illegal dumping is $2300 for an individual and up to $10,781 for a company.
Anyone with information about illegally dumped waste in a national park or the Port Access Reserve is encouraged to call the department on the Pollution Hotline 1300 130 372.
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Originally published as Illegal waste dumping at Townsville Port Access Reserve disgusts Queensland park rangers
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