‘I’m running out of time’: Maggie Island business facing closure

Magnetic Island’s only commercial rubbish service could soon be forced to close, owing to a large debt and a lack of commercial premises.

Magnetic Island Skip Service owner operator Brett Barrett.

Magnetic Island’s only commercial rubbish service faces an $80,000 debt and the threat of business closure after operating on a section of the island not correctly zoned for the business.

Brett Barrett, the owner of Magnetic Island Skip Service, services two supermarkets and a handful of other businesses, but now has to leave his site by January 18.

Mr Barrett has run into issues owing to a debt which the Townsville City Council claims is $80,000, however Mr Barrett says he intends to dispute those dues.

His yard is also not zoned correctly for his operations, leading to headaches for the man who owns the island’s only private rubbish collection business.

“Who’s going to pick up rubbish if I’m not on the island?,” Mr Barrett said.

Mr Barrett removes the commercial rubbish from Magnet Island’s IGA.

There were no other suitable commercial sites available for him, he claimed.

“I am running out of time.”

The Townsville City Council operates the residential rubbish collection, as well as rubbish collection for Peppers and One Bright Point hotels, but appears to have no solution for Mr Barrett’s predicament.

After 14 months at the site, it turns out the land is zoned as mixed use, and he needs a material change of use certification.

Cr Ann-Maree Greaney represents Magnetic Island.

“Townsville City Council has been consulting with Mr Barrett over the issue,” she said.

“Under the Local Government Act, Council is unable to lease Council-owned land to anyone without first going through the correct tendering process.

“This has been explained to Mr Barrett on several occasions.

“We do understand the difficulty of the position Mr Barrett is in and we wish to work constructively with him to resolve the issue while working within the legislation.”

A council spokesperson said the council could bring more wheelie bins to the island to dispose of waste in the interim.

Originally published as ‘I’m running out of time’: Maggie Island business facing closure