Operation Tora rolls out

Officers from the Environment Department and Transport and Main Roads (TMR) launched a joint agency operation yesterday [10 August] at separate locations across South-east Queensland.

Environment Minister and Acting Main Roads Minister Steven Miles said the inspections took place as part of a wider crackdown on rogue operators, and will continue today.

“The special compliance operation, part of our ongoing Operation TORA initiative, is focusing on unlawful waste management operators and will include waste vehicle inspections,” Mr Miles said.

“Operation TORA inspections involve checks of heavy vehicles, and compliance with regulated waste and other transport requirements.

“On day one of the operation 13 waste-related truck operators all originating from NSW were stopped and checked thoroughly by environmental compliance staff.

“There were no compliance issues identified for most of the trucks inspected, however officers will follow up with two of the operators to ensure that their operations are compliant with Queensland legislation.

“Inspectors from TMR also stopped and checked 56 trucks with a total of 10 defect notices issued.”

Mr Miles said the blitz demonstrated that the Palaszczuk Government would not tolerate waste operators who don’t follow the rules.

“Our operation is ensuring any waste coming into Queensland is legally able to, is being safely transported, is being disposed of correctly, and is conducted in such a way that there are no harmful environmental impacts.”

As the operation continues, TMR  officers will undertake compliance checks of heavy vehicles. They will inspect such matters as fatigue management (through work diaries); load mass, dimension and restraint, and vehicle safety.

Environmental compliance officers will undertake waste checks to see if loads contain general waste or trackable regulated waste; check all required consignment authorities; and ensure any regulated trackable waste conforms with appropriate environmental authorities.

“There is a lot of community interest in this issue, and I want to reassure Queenslanders that we will not put up with rogue operators," Mr Miles said.

“That’s why the Premier and I will on Monday host a waste roundtable with industry including key players such as Cleanaway, JJ Richards and Visy.

“I assure all Queenslanders, and not just the concerned residents of Ipswich, that this government is addressing concerns about waste management."

ENDS

Media contact: Alison Brown - 0477 377622