16 November 2022
Following several recent incidents of illegal dumping of chemicals and hazardous materials, Southern Downs Regional Council would like to remind the community to abide by the rules at the region’s supervised and unsupervised waste facilities so inconvenient and costly clean-ups and closures can be avoided.
Director Planning and Environmental Services Scott Riley said a number of safe and alternative disposal options are available to help the community sort out their waste sustainably.
“The community has a responsibility to do the right thing at our waste facilities so they can operate in a safe and compliant manner for all users,” Mr Riley said.
“Certain chemicals can be toxic and pose potential health risks to on-site staff, volunteers and users and therefore Council is bound by legislative requirements that specify how chemicals can be disposed of safely.
“Recently, unlabelled chemicals were illegally dumped at the Warwick Waste Facility and emergency services were required to attend to make the site safe. This was an inconvenience to users and caused a risk to the safety of on-site staff, volunteers and customers, plus there were financial costs to Council to safely remove the chemicals.
“In another separate incident at the Amiens bin compound, unsealed drums of waste engine oil spilled and overflowed on-site following rain which created an environmental hazard that Council was required to clean up at the expense of ratepayers.
“The situation at the Amiens site could easily have been avoided as waste engine oil is accepted for free at the Stanthorpe, Warwick, Wallangarra, Allora and Leyburn supervised waste facilities during opening hours.
“Council engages a qualified contractor to collect domestic waste engine oil from those sites and recycles it at no cost to the community.
“We have surveillance cameras at a number of waste facilities and if users are identified as not complying with directions and legislative obligations, fines can be issued for non-compliance.”
Chemicals are not accepted at any of Council’s waste facilities. Residents can contact a private waste removal contractor for the safe disposal of chemicals.
To ensure that the unsupervised bin compounds are used correctly, please note that:
• Gates must be locked when leaving the facility;
• Only residential general waste and recycling is accepted;
• Illegal dumping of items is reported to Council on 1300 697 372 (oil, large furniture, fridges, tyres, asbestos, batteries, commercial waste);
• Waste must go into the bins to prevent litter being scattered around the sites by the wind; and
• Commercial businesses are not permitted to use the unsupervised bin compounds. This is to ensure compliance with the State Government waste levy legislation.
“We acknowledge that by in large, the vast majority of users respect and follow the guidelines at our facilities,” Mr Riley said.
Last edited date 16 Nov 2022