‘Environmental thugs’ warned after massive illegal dumping near Pinnacles Reserve

Asbestos, a pig carcass and a burned out car are among the items discovered in an illegal dumping ground in Townsville’s bushland. See the other strange items found.

Abandoned solar panels in Townsville.

The actions of vandals in the Townsville region have been labelled as ‘potentially deadly’ after a number of items containing asbestos, as well as the carcass of a pig and a burnt out car, were found discarded in bushland.

The Department of Environment and Science is working with Townsville City Council to find the perpetrators who scattered the items in scrub near Pinnacles Reserve.

Senior Conservation Officer Craig Dunk, who investigates reports of illegal dumping in the Townsville region, said the perpetrators were ‘environmental thugs’.

“Illegally dumped waste negatively impacts on the cultural and natural values of our national parks, State Forests and reserves, and is a fire hazard, a pollution hazard and can cause injuries to people and wildlife,” Mr Dunk said.

“There is no excuse for illegally dumping asbestos fencing, which is potentially deadly to unsuspecting people who come into contact with it.

The carcass of a pig dumped in a tarp in Townsville.

“The fencing is in a tidal area, and we are going to engage a licenced asbestos removalist to clean up the old fencing and dispose of it lawfully.

“Anyone with information about the asbestos fencing is encouraged to contact the department, and we’re hoping to hear from people who may have noticed an asbestos fence being removed recently.”

Asbestos sheeting found dumped in Townsville.

In addition to the asbestos infested fencing, other items contained cardboard packaging, a pig carcass wrapped in a tarp and an abandoned, burned out vehicle, as well as many other items.

“Rangers from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, along with Phil’s Bush Clean Up and council officers continue to tidy up other people’s rubbish,” Mr Dunk said.

“The disappointing thing is much of this waste would fit in wheelie bins, and the council runs several waste facilities in the region.

“People have obviously dumped rubbish to avoid paying the waste disposal fee. We are investigating the illegal dumping and will issue Penalty Infringement Notices to those responsible.”

Six infringement notices have been issued recently in Townsville, with a maximum possible penalty of $143,750 for an individual caught dumping.

Anyone with information about illegally dumped waste in the Townsville region is encouraged to call the department on the Pollution Hotline [phone].

Originally published as ‘Environmental thugs’ warned after massive illegal dumping near Pinnacles Reserve