Latest Mackay Seaport News

MPA attempts to curb road-side dumping

Originally published on 7th July2006

The Mackay Port Authority hopes a move to fence land bordering Slade Point Road will curb a spate of unsightly road-side dumping.

MPA environmental manager Bill Boylson is alarmed that people are using port-owned land as a rubbish dump.
Friends of the Reserve president Cr Alison Jones discusses the Slade Point Road dumping issue with Mackay Port Authority environmental manager Bill Boylson.
Mr Boylson said offenders could face fines of more than a $1000 under Mackay City Council bylaws.

“Slade Point Road has become a real eyesore with people dumping household waste, furniture and garden material in Bedford’s Paddock rather than carrying their rubbish a few more minutes down the road to the council-owned Bayersville tip,” he said.

“Hopefully the fence will do the job and encourage people to do the right thing and go to the rubbish tip.”

Meantime, the Mackay Port Authority and Friends of the Slade Point Reserve have welcomed a police crackdown on trail bike riders in the area.

Mr Boylson and Friends of the Reserve president Cr Alison Jones are concerned at the damage trail bikes are causing on port-controlled land and the neighbouring Slade Point environmental reserve.

Cr Jones fears someone could be seriously injured or killed if trail bikes aren’t evicted from the reserve.

“I’ve had reports from residents that have nearly been collected by bikes on walking tracks within the reserve,” she said. “These people were very lucky because they had very little room to jump out of the way.

“Bikes simply don’t belong there; they are not allowed there – they cause environmental damage, not to mention the threat to public safety.”

Officer-in-charge of Slade Point police station Senior Constable Tim Henderson confirmed that one rider had already been issued with an on-the-spot fine and police planned to continue patrols of the reserve area.