Queensland councils across the state will soon receive an investment boost from the state government over the next three years in an attempt to put illegal dumpers on notice.

Illegal dumping saw councils cleaning up 13,107 tonnes of illegally dumped waste last year, the equivalent of 1200 garbage truck loads.

The $13.7 million Fighting Illegal Dumping Partnership Program will expand surveillance technology, establish compliance signage and fund dedicated Dumping Compliance Officers.

Almost half of the funded projects will deploy night-time surveillance in known illegal dumping hotspots in an attempt to help councils detect offenders and gather evidence.

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Giving councils the investigative tools to build enforcement cases, the expanded program is expected to significantly improve Queensland’s ability to detect offences, investigate incidents and take enforcement action, while reducing environmental harm and clean-up costs for ratepayers.

Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said the funding would strengthen councils’ ability to catch illegal dumpers and hold them accountable.

“Illegal dumping is environmental vandalism that harms local communities, damages the environment and leaves ratepayers footing the bill,” Powell said.

Powell said the program’s key focus was the rollout of targeted night-time surveillance in known dumping hotspots to deter repeat offenders.

“Councils lead the fight against illegal dumping in their communities,” he said.

“The message is clear: if you illegally dump waste in Queensland, there is a greater chance you will be caught, investigated and held accountable.”

Fighting Illegal Dumping Partnership Program projects include:

• Toowoomba Regional Council – $380,000 – two dedicated illegal dumping officers to prevent, monitor and respond to illegal dumping which is creating an elevated risk of fire and disease and polluting creeks and streams used for irrigation of crops and drinking water for livestock.
• Somerset regional Council – $335,948 – a dedicated illegal dumping officer appointer for three years to respond to and investigate reports of illegal dumping, particularly around waterway, forest areas and agricultural land.
• Cairns Regional Council – $295,000 – a dedicated illegal dumping officer for three years to conduct deterrence and preventative activities surrounding rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, including night-time patrols in hot spot areas.
• Gold Coast City Council – $295,000 – A dedicated illegal dumping officer for three years to engage in preventative, detection and compliance activities, including night-time patrols in hot spot areas.
• Rockhampton Regional Council – $295,000 – a dedicated illegal dumping officer for three years to perform routine patrols, investigate incidents and pursue enforcement activities, including night-time patrols in hot spot areas.
• Mackay Regional Council – $294,145 – A dedicated illegal dumping officer for three years to implement prevention measures, including night-time patrols in current and emerging hot spot areas.
• Brisbane City Council  – $292,709 – deliver a targeted campaign to reduce dumping at hotspots using surveillance and signage alongside enforcement, including night-time patrols in hot spot areas.
• Bundaberg Regional Council – $270,000 – focus on minimising the illegal dumping of tyres, household items and commercial waste with a dedicated illegal dumping officer for three years to investigate and undertake patrols to enforce compliance.
• Sunshine Coast Regional Council – $270,000 – a dedicated illegal dumping officer for three years to do investigations to detect offenders, hotspots and install monitoring  equipment to enforce compliance.
• Townsville City Council – $270,000 – a dedicated illegal dumping officer for three to deliver coordinated compliance across identified hotspots.