Illegal dump site at Bahrs Scrub. (Photo used with permission).
Logan City has become home to illegal rubbish dump sites located in its native bushland, and local residents are ‘disgusted’ and have expressed hopes for Council to catch and fine the perpetrators.
One Bahrs Scrub resident, who’s especially disgusted by the trash, has even reached out to Deputy Mayor Jon Raven for help.
Illegal dump site at Bahrs Scrub. (Photo used with permission).
Bahrs Scrub local Robyn Wright has lived in the region for over 20 years, but said it’s only been in the last five that she’s spotted illegal dump sites near her home.
“About 5 years ago we would take the trailer and clean up areas but it’s just totally out of control,” she said.
Illegal dump site at Bahrs Scrub. (Photo used with permission).
“Council are great, they have a team and if we report it they have a process, but how much is it costing?
“People have no shame.”
Ms Wright said when she walks through where the rubbish is being dumped she also sees an abundance of native wildlife.
Illegal dump site at Bahrs Scrub. (Photo used with permission).
“I saw wild life and thought this will impact them…and the waste refuge is only a 1 km down from this mess.
“Each year the council sends out free vouchers to use on waste disposal, and I know there are a lot of community minded people that have helped people in the past (who can’t afford to dump their rubbish legally at the tip).
“Council is trying its best but geez some people need a wake up call.”
Cr Raven said it’s an issue everywhere, not just Logan City, and Council is doing its best to control the illegal dumping.
“Council now has a waste dumping task force that’s been pretty successful,” he said.
Illegal dump site at Bahrs Scrub. (Photo used with permission).
This last financial year the Logan City Council waste dumping task force has:
- Had 442 incidents reported
- Closed (dealt with) 376 cases
- Had 70 successful investigation outcomes – which means someone other than council has cleaned it up
- Issued 28 penalty infringement notices
- Removed 2228.5 cubic metres of waste
Cr Raven said the fine really should be enough to prevent locals from illegally dumping their waste.
“Littering is a $266 fine alone,” he said.
“Commercial operators who illegally dump large amounts of waste can be fined up to $10,000.
“We’ve already issued a number of those large fines and there are a few more coming in the future.”
Cr Raven said the Bahrs Scrub dump site is a particularly frustrating case for locals.
“It’s right next to the Beenleigh landfill. They’ve literally driven all the way there already and then they’ve gone ‘you know what I don’t want to pay’ and then dump it illegally,” he said.
“But it’s so expensive to get caught.
“That money (from the fines) goes straight back into the waste dumping task force so they can keep doing the good work they’re doing and make sure they can catch as many of the people doing the wrong thing as possible.”
Cr Raven said he would like to encourage Logan City locals who see illegal dumping to report it to Council.
“Council needs the help of the community. If we don’t know it’s happening then we can’t investigate it,” he said.
“We are aware of the most common sites (for illegal dumping).
“Whether it’s public or private property, let us know, so we can investigate.”
