March 15, 2024
Waste operators have been put on notice after an unlicensed operator received heavy fines last week and a recent blitz on metal recyclers.
More than $400,000 worth of fines were issued in total for carrying out unlawful activities.
A spokesperson for the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation said the department was continuing to crack down on unlawful waste operations across Queensland to tackle stockpile fires, land and waterway contamination and nuisance due to dust and excessive noise.
Following an investigation and prosecution, a Chinchilla-based waste operator was fined more than $133,000 for illegally stockpiling more than 25,000 tonnes of waste at a former quarry site.
It was alleged that between May and September 2021, the operator received about 25,500 tonnes of construction and demolition waste including bricks, timber, metal sheeting and plastic. This was equivalent to more than 4000 skip bins of waste.
At no point did the operator hold the necessary Environmental Authority for waste disposal.
In August 2021, the department received a report that multiple trucks were dumping waste at an unlicensed site, which was confirmed during a search by compliance officers and police.
Last week, the operator pleaded guilty in Brisbane Magistrates Court and was fined $100,000 and ordered to pay $8800.25 in investigation costs as well as $1500 in legal costs.
The court also ordered the operator to pay $26,376.40 for annual fees avoided during the offending period.
This result followed another joint compliance blitz, “Operation Sidero”, which resulted in about $300,000 in fines for recyclers caught illegally stockpiling large amounts of scrap metal.
Between February 27-28, compliance officers and police investigated illegal scrap metal dismantling and stockpiling across southern and south-east Queensland.
As a result of the two-day operation, 25 fines were issued ranging from $3096 for individuals and $15,480 for companies.
A total of 26 direction notices were issued to operators to cease all unlawful activity and apply for an Environmental Authority. Several sites are still under investigation.
Southeast Compliance Executive Director Brad Wirth said unlicensed waste stockpiling posed a serious risk to the safety of the community and the environment.
“Without the appropriate licenses we, the regulators, have no way of knowing how these operations are run on a day-to-day basis and if important steps are being taken to protect the environment and the community,” he said.
Anyone concerned about a poor performing or unlicenced waste facility has ben encouraged to contact the Pollution Hotline on 1300-130-372.
