Big fines for illegal dumping

Are you disposing of your waste correctly?
Following an increase in the dumping of large and commercial items at facilities across the region, Southern Downs Regional Council would like to remind residents that unsupervised waste facilities and bin compounds are for the disposal of domestic household waste only.
Large and bulky items – think couches, mattresses, cupboards, whitegoods and the like – are not to be disposed of at unsupervised waste facilities.
Furthermore, no commercial, industrial or farming waste is to be disposed of at these facilities.
The council says it has also received reports of bins being overfilled with commercial waste meaning they are not able to be used for domestic rubbish.
“Incidences of large and bulky items being discarded and waste being placed in incorrect bins have increased, while the gates to locked bin compounds are regularly being left unsecured,” a spokeswoman said.
“It is important residents who are using unsupervised waste facilities use them to discard of appropriate waste items,” she said.
“As well as posing significant challenges to waste contractors emptying bins and problems for other users of the facilities, misuse increases operational costs for Council – funds which could be allocated elsewhere.
“Council has a range of options for residents when it comes to waste management and recycling.
“Residents can take large and/or bulky items and commercial, industrial and farming waste to supervised waste transfer stations across the region, including Warwick, Stanthorpe, Allora, Killarney, Leyburn, Pratten, Maryvale, Wallangarra, Broadwater and the Northern Granite Belt.
“There are no disposal fees for domestic waste at these facilities.
“If you see someone doing the wrong thing, please report the details to Council to investigate.
“Over the past two years, 40 penalty infringement notices have been issued for illegal dumping or littering, many for offences that have occurred at unsupervised waste facilities.
“Residents can be fined up to $252 for general littering and $2523 for illegal dumping of waste.”
For more information, visit www.sdrc.qld.gov.au/living-here/waste-recycling