A new Queensland Bill that targets scrap metal theft have been welcomed by Moreton Bay City Council.
Last week, the State Government last week introduced draft laws into parliament to stamp out the sale and disposal of stolen scrap metal.
“This legislation is an exciting development for our city, and other Queensland councils, severely impacted by the copper black market,” mayor Peter Flannery says.
“Rampant copper theft has seen our streets and sporting clubs repeatedly plunged into darkness, causing grave safety concerns.”
He says replacing stolen metal is proving “extremely costly” with millions of dollars in ratepayer funds spent on repairs, not to mention the cost to government.
“These laws are much-needed to put a stop to this criminal scourge, which negatively impacted our communities for too long,” he says.
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COPPER PROVISIONS
Under the new Bill, penalties for metal theft will increase with two new offences added for trying to steal metal and possession of stolen metal.
All transactions involving scrap metal will have to be recorded in a register and second-hand scrap metal dealers will need to ask for photo ID.
In 2023, the former Labor state government held a parliamentary inquiry into scrap metal theft which the LNP party committed to introducing if elected.
Council has continually warned that costly copper thefts would continue to run rampant unless there was legislative change, which was initiated last week.
“It (the new laws) will stop thieves putting lives at risk, including their own, as they often remove live wires,” Flannery says.
“It will also prevent public safety from being put at risk due to streets being left in the dark, ensure residents have reliable power, and keep sporting fields lit up at night so kids can play sport.”
PREVIOUS COPPER THEFT NEWS: Illegal sales need to stop, says council
GOLD COAST DISCOVERY
Gold Coast Police have charged a man with possessing stolen copper wiring when they searched a Pacific Pines home on February 19.
Police say that, apart from drugs, they also found 162 kilograms of copper wiring, tools for stripping wiring and electrical conduit.
They believe the wiring was stolen was from a building site and are investigating possible links to other recent thefts.
The man is due to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on March 17.
