Member for Ipswich West Wendy Bourne is calling for urgent action to tackle copper theft as damaged road lighting continues to leave parts of Ipswich West in darkness.
Across the electorate, the theft of copper wiring from public infrastructure continues to leave road lighting out of action, in some cases for months, creating concerns for motorists travelling at night, early in the morning and in poor weather.
Ms Bourne said residents were tired of seeing essential infrastructure repeatedly targeted without a clear plan from the Crisafulli LNP Government to stop the thefts or get damaged lighting back online quickly.
“People are driving home from work, picking their kids up from sport or heading out for an early shift on roads that have been left in darkness because the copper has been ripped out,” Ms Bourne said.
“This isn’t just about someone stealing a bit of metal. They are damaging infrastructure designed to keep people safe, and taxpayers are left paying to repair it.”
“People want the lights back on, but more importantly, they want to know what is being done to stop this from happening again.”
In response to pressure from the Labor Opposition, the Crisafulli LNP Government introduced legislation in March to increase penalties for stealing copper and other prescribed metals from public infrastructure.
Months later the bill is still waiting to be passed, with the LNP showing little interest in putting this legislation into action and ignoring calls to take more action.
Ms Bourne said stronger penalties were welcome but represented the bare minimum when there was still no comprehensive strategy to prevent the thefts.
“Of course, people who steal copper, damage public infrastructure and put motorists at risk should face serious consequences,” Ms Bourne said.
“But a bigger penalty after the fact doesn’t stop the lights going out in the first place.”
“By the time those penalties come into play, the copper has already been stolen, the infrastructure has already been damaged, and taxpayers are already footing the bill.”
“Where is the plan to stop stolen copper being sold? Where is the strategy to protect infrastructure that is repeatedly being targeted? And where is the urgency to get these lights repaired?”
The issue is not new. A parliamentary inquiry established under the former Labor Government examined scrap metal theft in 2023, including ways to disrupt the market for stolen metals, with evidence considering measures such as banning cash payments and strengthening registration and record-keeping requirements for scrap metal dealers.
Ms Bourne said despite having a recognised problem and potential prevention measures already on the table, the Government’s response had so far largely focused on increasing penalties.
Even that legislation has remained before Parliament since March, while other legislation introduced months later has been rushed through.
“In the last sitting week, we saw this Government rush through extraordinary new laws that give the Deputy Premier the power to compulsorily acquire Queenslanders’ homes, farms and businesses for major projects, potentially hand that land to private companies, while stripping back important appeal, review and notification rights,” Ms Bourne said.
“They managed to introduce and pass that legislation in less than half the time their copper theft laws have been sitting in Parliament.”
“If they can move that quickly to give a Minister more power, why can’t they show the same urgency when public infrastructure is being stolen, and our roads are being left in the dark?”
“That tells you something about this Government’s priorities.”
“This is just another example of this Government failing to look after the transport infrastructure people in Ipswich West rely on every day.”
“Whether it’s major projects being delayed, local roads being left behind or essential roads sitting in darkness after copper theft, our community keeps being asked to wait.”
“People in Ipswich West don’t want another announcement. They want the thefts stopped, damaged infrastructure repaired and the lights back on.”
“Stronger penalties are one part of the answer, but we need prevention, faster repairs and a Government that treats safety on our roads with the urgency it deserves.”
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