General News
5 November, 2026
Litterbugs blight on region
OVER the last five years, the ‘Goss’ has covered a number of situations where people have left me somewhat disappointed.
The issue in question is people simply not tidying up after themselves and what is more concerning is that quite often the offenders are adults.
I have noted these culprits just randomly littering when out and about, rather than finding a bin or even parked up in their vehicles and dropping rubbish out of the door.
Other occasions may be at night with revellers dropping their bottles or leaving their beer glasses for somebody else to pick up.
Way back in early 2021 this column covered what I depicted as ‘A Dunny Debacle’ where I explained how ‘FGAs’ or ‘Fully Grown Adults’ were incapable of using a public toilet without leaving it looking like a bomb site.
At the time, the toilet in question was in Grant Street, Port Douglas.
To be fair, even though that particular site has been improved and expanded, things haven’t really improved in terms of how some people leave them after their visit.
Earlier this year, I wrote about the general rubbish being left on our beautiful beaches across the Douglas Shire.
If it wasn’t for local volunteers doing their bit, and organisations, like Tangaroa Blue along with their ReefClean partners making a difference, I’m pretty sure these beauty spots would not be quite as spick and span for locals and visitors to enjoy.
Fortunately, for the many of us that do have a conscience about our environment, you’ll be pleased to know that illegal dumpers now have a much higher chance of facing penalties thanks to a $389,000 funding boost.
This extra funding will ensure that an illegal dumping officer will remain in the Douglas Shire who will be able to dedicate more time to tracking offenders and protecting the Shire’s environment.
Funds will also be allocated to install surveillance camaras in strategic locations.
The officer will focus on investigating reports of illegal dumping, gathering evidence and developing prevention initiatives, supported by measures, such as the surveillance cameras and compliance signage.
Douglas Shire Council receives more than 200 complaints each year relating to illegal dumping.
Waste dumped across the shire includes tyres, solar panels, dumped cars, whitegoods, oil and hazardous materials, as well as green waste dumped along creeks, rivers, mangroves and other environmentally sensitive areas.
Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said littering was disappointing and everyone had a role to play in keeping the Shire clean and beautiful
“The vast majority of residents and visitors do the right thing and take pride in our community but it only takes a few discarded cups, bottles or wrappers to make an area look untidy,” she said.
“Council provides bins in public areas and we encourage people to use them or take their rubbish with them if a bin isn’t nearby. It’s a small effort that makes a big difference. Every piece of rubbish that is disposed of correctly helps keep litter out of our streets, parks, beaches and waterways.”
