Action Plan to clean up litter and illegal dumping

The Newman Government has launched an Action Plan to clean up litter and illegal dumping throughout the state.

Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection Andrew Powell said the Action Plan was a long-term initiative by the Newman Government to reduce litter and illegal dumping.

“We will focus on effective programs to change community attitudes and public behaviour,” Mr Powell said.

“The Action Plan has five key programs. It’s not just about strengthening our compliance activity and fining people for littering and illegal dumping, rather, it aims to stop unacceptable behaviour happening in the first place.

“By working with businesses, local councils, state departments, private land owners, non-government organisations, schools, community groups and the public we can make a difference in the short and long term.

“All members of the community have a role to play in reducing litter and illegal dumping. 

“Every day, our parks, streets, forests and waterways are subjected to pollution from litter and illegal dumping of plastic bags, cigarette butts, glass bottles, hazardous materials and other waste.

“On a larger scale, domestic and commercial waste illegally dumped by the trailer and truck load leaves the clean-up and costs to others.

“This is a community problem and by engaging the community we can work together to confront the behaviour and achieve long-term improvement in littering and illegal dumping behaviour.”

Mr Powell said the Action Plan would get underway by raising awareness of the issue and best practice in waste management.

Research and data collection will also be important to establishing a baseline for measuring performance and build knowledge.

Funding of $5.6 million has been committed over 4 years, with some actions already being implemented:

·         First round of equipment grants to help local governments purchase surveillance cameras

·         Training and resources for local governments to improve their investigation skills

·         Piloting a hot spot program with HQ Plantations

·         Community education partnerships with leading community groups such as Keep Queensland Beautiful, the Garage Sale Trail and Healthy Waterways, and

·         Making reporting of litter and illegal dumping easier with the release of a mobile phone reporting app

[ENDS] 30 October 2013

Media contact:  Lynette Keep 0419 620 299