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Courier-Mail
7 days ago
- General
- Courier-Mail
Gold Coast Council bin warning after rubbish trucks catch fire
Don't miss out on the headlines from Environment. Followed categories will be added to My News. A major Australian city has put residents on notice after seven garbage trucks caught fire in less than a month. Gold Coast City Council said batteries in bins were to blame for the blazes, which broke out after rubbish was loaded into the truck and compacted. 'Batteries do NOT belong in your bin. When crushed, they can spark, explode and start dangerous fires,' the council said in a post to Facebook. Wild images of one blaze show a massive pile of flaming trash dumped in a car park, with firefighters drenching the mess in a bid to extinguish the fire. Another image shows a stack of batteries badly burned and melted together. The Gold Coast has seen seven bin fires in May alone. Picture: Facebook The local council has said batteries are to blame for the blazes, and urged residents to dispose of the common item properly. Picture: Facebook The fires result in entire loads of garbage having to be dumped on the road. Picture: Facebook The Council also shared an image of a large burn mark on a garbage truck, with the sticker on the side of the vehicle melting away. Queensland Fire Department Superintendent Mark Halverson told ABC even dead batteries posed a huge risk. 'Even if a battery appears to be flat, there's almost always some amount of energy that remains within it,' he said. 'When that energy becomes exposed, there's obviously a lot of other combustibles in the truck and plenty of oxygen, so a very good opportunity for a fire to commence.' The Queensland government has committed millions in funding to help address the growing issue. Picture: Facebook In February, the Queensland state government announced $2 million to fund a 'bin blaze ban', noting battery fires had more than doubled since 2020. The funding would help increase access to battery disposal collection points, reducing fire risks to protect workers and essential waste services and educate residents about the risks of incorrectly disposed of batteries. 'Battery fires have more than doubled over the past five years, an unacceptable upward trend that simply must end,' Environment Minister Andrew Powell said at the time. People looking to dispose of their batteries are encouraged to use a special drop off point, which can be located at Originally published as City's rubbish trucks catch fire seven times in one month as residents warned
Perth Now
27-05-2025
- General
- Perth Now
City's rubbish trucks catch fire 7 times
A major Australian city has put residents on notice after seven garbage trucks caught fire in less than a month. Gold Coast City Council said batteries in bins were to blame for the blazes, which broke out after rubbish was loaded into the truck and compacted. 'Batteries do NOT belong in your bin. When crushed, they can spark, explode and start dangerous fires,' the council said in a post to Facebook. Wild images of one blaze show a massive pile of flaming trash dumped in a car park, with firefighters drenching the mess in a bid to extinguish the fire. Another image shows a stack of batteries badly burned and melted together. The Gold Coast has seen seven bin fires in May alone. Facebook Credit: Supplied The local council has said batteries are to blame for the blazes, and urged residents to dispose of the common item properly. Facebook Credit: Supplied The fires result in entire loads of garbage having to be dumped on the road. Facebook Credit: Supplied The Council also shared an image of a large burn mark on a garbage truck, with the sticker on the side of the vehicle melting away. Queensland Fire Department Superintendent Mark Halverson told ABC even dead batteries posed a huge risk. 'Even if a battery appears to be flat, there's almost always some amount of energy that remains within it,' he said. 'When that energy becomes exposed, there's obviously a lot of other combustibles in the truck and plenty of oxygen, so a very good opportunity for a fire to commence.' The Queensland government has committed millions in funding to help address the growing issue. Facebook Credit: Supplied In February, the Queensland state government announced $2 million to fund a 'bin blaze ban', noting battery fires had more than doubled since 2020. The funding would help increase access to battery disposal collection points, reducing fire risks to protect workers and essential waste services and educate residents about the risks of incorrectly disposed of batteries. 'Battery fires have more than doubled over the past five years, an unacceptable upward trend that simply must end,' Environment Minister Andrew Powell said at the time. People looking to dispose of their batteries are encouraged to use a special drop off point, which can be located at
ABC News
26-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Queensland government backs LNP donor's court fight for tourism venture
The Queensland government is backing an LNP donor's appeal against a council decision to reject his luxury tourism development. In January, the Sunshine Coast Council knocked back Geoffrey Thomas's controversial plan to build 38 new short-stay units at an award-winning wedding venue in Maleny. Council officers recommended rejecting the development because it would block hinterland views, require major earthworks, and did not fit with the rural area. The proposed buildings were within allowable height limits, but the site was not a sewered area, so toilet wastewater would have to be stored then pumped out for disposal. In a tight debate, councillors voted 6-5 against the proposal. Those voting against it warned of setting a precedent that could allow similar developments in rural areas. Mr Thomas is a prominent Queensland businessman and former government trade advisor. He has been a long-term LNP supporter and donated $56,000 to the party in 2020. He appealed the rejection in March, with a hearing to take place in the Planning and Environment Court. The government has since applied to join the proceedings on tourism grounds. It means the Queensland government will join Mr Thomas in his court fight against the council. Tourism Minister Andrew Powell, who is also a local MP, said he had supported the luxury project since he was first briefed on it two years ago. "I'm acutely aware of the need to grow eco-tourism offerings and we desperately need more accommodation on the Sunshine Coast," Mr Powell said. "I'm always happy advocate on behalf of locals, especially with developments that could increase jobs and visitors to Glass House." Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie denied he had used his powers as planning minister to overrule the council's decision. "We've simply applied to be a party to the proceedings so we can represent the state interest," he said on Monday. "It's important that we do support projects across the state — ecotourism particularly. "We have not overridden any council process. "The planning department is simply applying … to be a part in the proceedings so the state interests are better served." Earlier this year, Mr Bleijie used his powers to revoke approval for two affordable housing developments in the region, while a third is under review. Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said she respected the court process and "it would be inappropriate to comment further". Opposition Leader Steven Miles said the government's decision to appeal against the council's decision was inconsistent with its decision to cite community sentiment in cancelling a large wind farm.
ABC News
23-05-2025
- ABC News
Dingo injured on K'gari (Fraser Island) after biting nine-year-old boy
A dingo has been injured after it bit a boy on K'gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, off the Queensland coast on Friday afternoon. The Queensland Ambulance Service said the nine-year-old was bitten on his underarm just before noon and rushed off the island for medical treatment. It's believed the child's injuries aren't serious. The dingo was injured by passers-by who came to help the boy. Rangers are now searching for the dingo. Queensland Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said ranger patrols on the island would be increased. "Our thoughts are with the family and nine-year old boy after what would have been a confronting experience at Yidney Rocks," he said. "We are waiting for more information about the incident and in the meantime, we will increase ranger patrols in the area. "We are working to review the Dingo Management Plan for K'gari to ensure it is fit for purpose in 2025." It's the latest in string of dingo incidents on the island in recent months. Earlier this month a dingo swam into knee-deep water and bit a fisherman on his leg, while three women were attacked when they were on a tour in April.
The Guardian
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
LNP to cut all funding for Queensland's Environmental Defenders Office, breaking election promise
In a move raising comparisons to the government of Campbell Newman, Queensland's Liberal National party government is set to slash all state funding for the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO). The decision breaches a promise by the LNP to continue funding the body made prior to winning government at the October state election. The EDO provides free legal advice to residents and community groups considering challenging a development or environmental approval, and receives about $500,000 a year from the state government. Its funding will be cut to zero at June's state budget. In an open letter to the premier, 36 of the state's leading conservationists and environmental groups described themselves as 'shocked' by the decision. They compared it to a similar decision made under premier Campbell Newman to cut $97,000 of EDO funding in 2012, its entire state allocation. The current environment minister, Andrew Powell, was also environment minister under Newman. The EDO cuts represent one of several broken election promises by David Crisafulli's government in its first six months in office, including to not build a new stadium for the Olympics and to set clear key performance indicators for his ministers. The promise to continue EDO funding was made publicly in March last year, at a forum attended by the LNP's then shadow environment minister Sam O'Connor. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email In an email follow-up after the event seen by Guardian Australia, O'Connor also referred to 'the commitment I made to continue funding the EDO if the LNP is successful at the election this October'. 'Queenslanders care about their local environment so landholders and communities deserve some form of access to legal advice when potential threats arise to the special places they love,' the email reads. 'We believe the state government should continue to provide funding towards their operations just like they do with other community legal services.' The Queensland Conservation Council director, Dave Copeman, said: 'We were told before the election that the LNP had learned the lessons from the Newman government's destructive approach, but this funding cut is straight out of the Campbell Newman playbook.' Copeman said the then opposition leader Crisafulli also made the same commitment to him personally in August 2023. The EDO's chief executive officer, David Morris, said the organisation would be able to keep its doors open with charitable donations, but would have to turn many people away. 'Over the past five years, Queensland Government funding has enabled us to provide about 1,500 legal services to people who otherwise could not possibly afford legal advice,' Morris said. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion Without EDO legal advice, many Queenslanders would be denied the opportunity to exercise their legal rights to challenge 'mining companies, big irrigators and property developers', he said. 'Without it, many communities won't even know their rights, let alone have the chance to exercise them.' The state resources minister, Dale Last, has previously told parliament: 'I have been saying to the gas companies in this state: 'I'll sign. You drill.'' A spokesperson for the state government said it had 'honoured Labor's funding agreement in its entirety which expired at the end of June 2025'. 'There is no additional money budgeted beyond that period of time. 'As part of future assessments for programs, the EDO would have to convince the government that proper processes had been put in place to qualify for further funding, after being ordered to pay $9m in costs after a judge criticised EDO lawyers for coaching a witness.' The federal court ordered the EDO to pay the fee to Santos in November 2024 after ruling against its challenge to a Northern Territory gas pipeline project. Morris said at the time that the EDO had 'diligently adhered to client instructions' but accepted the judgment of the court.
