TIDY’s Dave Dudley links copper theft to Townsville’s increased illegal dumping

Townsville’s clean up legend Dave Dudley is incensed by the increased illegal dumping he’s finding linked to copper thefts. Read how authorities are responding.

Townsville TIDY co-ordinator Dave Dudley says there is increasing illegal dumping linked to copper thefts. Picture: Dave Dudley.

Townsville’s clean up crusader Dave Dudley has spoken out about a growing problem created by copper thieves, who are illegally dumping the remains and polluting bushland before selling off the scrap metal.

Named Townsville’s Citizen of the Year in 2021, Mr Dudley is the co-ordinator of Townsville Illegal Dumping Yobo’s Clean Ups (TIDY), where he and a team of dedicated volunteers clean up after grubs who dump rubbish throughout the region.

Mr Dudley is seeing increasing evidence of copper thefts dumped in “out of the way places” from Crystal Creek to Cungulla.

“The evidence is in the form of either stripped cable casings or burnt cable or equipment casings … either in small piles no more than a few pieces to a small truck or trailer load of waste,” Mr Dudley said.

“The dumping of casings can occur anywhere, but the cooking is generally on flat ground in a clear area like a track or salt pan near a creek or river.

Townsville TIDY co-ordinator Dave Dudley is seeing red over illegally dumped remains of copper thefts. Picture: Dave Dudley.

“Once cooked for a lesser quality product, the plastic residue becomes an oil based mess that then seeps into the environment or is washed into the waterways polluting the streams.”

With black market copper fetching around $10-15 a kilo, he believed the illegal dumping was to avoid paying, or to avoid being caught by cameras.

Evidence of a cook site to for stolen copper in Townsville bushland. Picture: Dave Dudley.

“The TIDY group has now caught a few in the act and scared a few off when stumbling across them in the bush,” he said.

“These are dodgy characters at best so we don’t advise confronting them.”

A Townsville City Council spokesman said the council had been victim of copper theft in recent years, and understood its impact on the community and construction industry.

Evidence of copper thefts illegally dumped in Townsville bushland. Picture: Dave Dudley.

“Illegal dumping is simply unacceptable. Townsville City Council dedicates a number of resources to combating illegal dumping, including mobile cameras, environmental officers and a dedicated illegal dumping officer who take action against individuals through the issuing of fines or making them clean-up their mess,” the spokesman said.

“While the charging of individuals stealing copper is out of the local government’s scope, council will continue to look at any and all options available to stop people illegally dumping in our city and catching those who do.”

Townsville's clean up crusader Dave Dudley has carried out roadside clean ups between Crystal Creek and Cungulla. Picture: Supplied.

In 2024, the councl has taken action agsint more than 60 illegal dumping offenders in the region.

Earlier this year, two men were fined more than $4,000 for unlawfully disposing of copper wire and then setting it on fire in the Pinnacles Reserve near Townsville.

A Department of Environment, Science and Innovation spokesman said illegal dumping and copper theft were serious issues, with the department issuing 1,145 fines worth more than $485,000 statewide over the last financial year.

“Combating illegal dumping takes a co-ordinated approach across state and local governments, dedicated community members, and local organisations, such as Mr Dudley and the TIDY UP Townsville Group,” he said.

Originally published as TIDY’s Dave Dudley links copper theft to Townsville’s increased illegal dumping