Almost $700,000 in fines were issued to local litterbugs in the last year alone as new data shows startling levels of debris found on roads.
With items ranging from step ladders to mattresses and garden tools, RACQ said its traffic response units operating across south-east Queensland had “seen it all”.
During the last financial year alone, Logan City Council litter inspectors patrolled 31,000km of road, swept over 18500km, and addressed 430 litter requests and 2500 dumping requests.
A council spokesperson said almost $700,000 in fines was issued during that time for illegal dumping and other amenity issues in Logan.
“All residents have a role to play in keeping our streets and neighbourhoods safe and clean,” the spokesperson said.
RACQ principal technical researcher and former patrol officer Andrew Kirk said the traffic response unit attended more than 20,500 jobs in FY24 and discovered a wide range of household items.
“Our TRU officers travel throughout south-east Queensland helping motorists and making sure our roads are safe,” Mr Kirk said.
“In the last financial year, they picked up 30 mattresses, 15 step ladders, 12 garden tools and 10 pieces of outdoor furniture, among other obscure items.
“The team has also come across the usual suspects found on our roads, including tie down straps, tarps as well as plastic, timber and metal debris.”
Mr Kirk said securing loads didn’t take long and should be done “no matter the distance”.
“Whether you’re doing a spring clean trip to the dump, moving house or completing a DIY project, we want to issue a timely reminder for motorists to safely load their vehicle or trailer,” Mr Kirk said.
“Taking an extra 10 or 15 minutes to ensure your load is correctly secured could save you or another motorist from a potentially deadly incident.
“Not only is it a legal requirement but it guarantees the safety of everyone using our roads and also ensures you don’t damage the road infrastructure.”
A spokesperson for RACQ said the majority of debris was removed from high-speed, high-volume roads like the Pacific Motorway.
Here is a list of items found by the traffic response units in FY24
- 15 step ladders
- 30 mattresses and bedding
- 50 tie down straps
- 40 tyre carcasses
- 10 pieces of outdoor furniture
- 10 plastic pipes
- 56 pieces of metal debris
- 10 air-conditioning ducts
- 10 rolls of wall/ceiling insulation
- 12 garden tools
- 24 vehicle components
- 38 pieces of timber debris
- 14 tarps
- 32 pieces of plastic debris.
To report issues that need council’s attention, phone 3412 3412 or visit logan.qld.gov.au/online-services.
