The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) has said that a crackdown on illegal dumping at the Townsville Port Access Reserve has resulted in alleged offenders removing their own waste and others receiving fines.
Senior Conservation Officer at the QPWS, Craig Dunk said people who dump rubbish in the reserve had little respect for the environment.
“In the past few months, rangers, along with local volunteers, have had to clean up other people’s mess,” Mr Dunk said.
“What people do not realise is that rangers and the Department of Environment and Science investigate every instance of illegal dumping at the reserve and across other land managed by the QPWS in the wider Townsville region.”
He said the QPWS routinely received information from members of the public who provided details, including the time and location, about illegal dumpers.
“Illegal dumping is 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,” Mr Dunk 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.”
He 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 $2,000, so we recommend that people take their rubbish to the tip if they want to avoid a fine,” Mr Dunk said.
“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.”
He said one personal grooming business in the Townsville region was advised that waste dumped at the reserve appeared to belong to them.
“The following day, when rangers conducted another inspection of the reserve, the business had removed the waste,” he said.
