$1.2m for councils to investigate old dumps: Fraser

October 16 2006

$1.2m for councils to investigate old dumps: Fraser

Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser today encouraged councils across the State to review old dump sites to ensure they are safe and environmentally sound.

Mr Fraser said $1.2 million would be available over the next two years to subsidise councils for investigating the health and safety of their closed and disused dump sites.

“The program subsidises investigation works such as drilling and excavation for soil testing and sampling, sampling of water run-off and air quality checks,” Mr Fraser said.

“Also, if councils have known concerns with old dump sites, they can receive a subsidy for employing specialist environmental consultants to prepare proposals for further work to improve the site and fix any potential environmental problems.

“Past dumping practices were not ideal, but we know a lot more about the management of open land fill sites than we did 10 years ago.

“It is important though that councils keep on top of their old sites to ensure they are safe now and into the future, from both an environmental and public health perspective.”

Mr Fraser said the Beattie Government has made $7.5 million available since 1998 for councils to conduct studies and checks of old landfill sites.

“60 councils have participated in the program and have investigated more than 240 old dump sites, but with an estimated 2,000 disused sites across the State there is still more work to be done.

“Our cities are getting larger and where once these dumps may have been located some distances from residents, it is often the case that development is now encroaching on the old sites.

“It is important councils share the Government’s commitment to monitor these old dump sites and not shy away from the fact that investigations sometimes identify that further work is needed in the future.”

Councils must submit their LRAP funding applications by 15 December 2006.

For more information on LRAP, visit www.dlgpsr.qld.gov.au

Media Contact: Chris Taylor: 3227 8825