Littering and illegal dumping

Illegal dumping

Council invests significant resources to provide a region which our residents can feel proud of. 

Littering and illegal dumping of waste is a rising concern for the Bundaberg Region, costing our community thousands of dollars in waste management and clean up expenses every year.

Report illegal dumping

Littering and illegal dumping of waste has the potential to cause health and safety risks for both people and the natural environment, as it can:

• provide an ideal breeding ground for mosquitos
• block gutters and drains affecting the serviceability of this infrastructure and increase the potential for flooding and erosion
• enter into creeks, rivers and onto beaches, where it has the potential to harm and/or kill wildlife, for example: plastic waste can choke and suffocate birds and marine life
• lead to more illegal dumping, other illegal activities and antisocial behaviour which can lead to reduced community pride

Littered waste does not include any gas, dust, smoke or material emitted or produced during, or because of, the normal operations of a building, manufacturing, mining or primary industry.

While the vast majority of residents across the Bundaberg Region dispose of litter in an appropriate manner there are those not willing to pay for the disposal of their personal rubbish and who add to community costs through illegal dumping.

Queensland's Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 (the Act) provides everyone with the ability to report littering and illegal dumping.

Anyone observing instances of illegal dumping is asked to report the matter to Council on 1300 883 699, via our online form or from the Snap, Send, Solve app available for download to mobile devices. Please ensure you gather relevant details including the model and make of any vehicle involved, its registration number, the time, date and location of the alleged offence.

The the Act includes a range of offences for littering and illegal dumping, including:

• general littering
• littering from a vehicle
• dangerous littering
• illegal dumping
• failing to clean up waste

The Act defines what is to be classed as illegal dumping and what is to be classed as littering based on the quantity of the waste deposited.

Local Governments and the Department of Environment and Science (DES) have a shared responsibility for littering and illegal dumping enforcement. Authorised officers from Council and DES can issue fines and direction notices to offenders of littering and illegal dumping.

For further information regarding illegal dumping and littering please visit the Queensland Government website. 

Report illegal dumping

Complete the online form to tell us about an illegal dumping.

Illegal dumping of green waste

Green waste refers to general garden waste such as plants, tree and lawn clippings.

The illegal dumping of green waste and can threaten our region's primary industries, natural environment, livestock and the health of our community. 

Illegal dumping is an offence and penalties apply. You can view the fines on the Queensland Government website.  

Report illegal dumping

You can recycle your green waste by composting at home or correctly dispose of green waste by taking it to one of Council's waste facilities. 

Report an abandoned shopping trolley

The removal of abandoned shopping trolleys is not a service that Council provides. 

Retailers in the region have engaged the services of private operators to organise the removal of any abandoned shopping trolleys reported by the public.

When reporting the sighting of an abandoned shopping trolley please try to identify the retailer owner of the trolley so that the correct operator is notified, as per the table below.

If there are any items of waste at the site where the trolley is located please report the matter to Council on 1300 883 699 or via the Snap, Send, Solve app for investigation.