Qld government contemplates ditching anti-junk-mail measures

The state government is considering binning its responsibility to protect Queenslanders from junk mail — and instead putting councils in charge of policing letterbox litterbugs.

A new consultation paper released by the government proposes repealing state laws that are aimed at stopping and preventing unsolicited advertising material.

Under current rules, it is prohibited to deliver junk mail to a letterbox or property where there are signs or markings that say words to the effect of "No Junk Mail".

The law also mandates that unsolicited advertising material can only be left in a receptacle or slot used for mail or newspapers, or under the door of a premises.

There are no penalties for breaching the rules, but authorities can issue compliance notices to offenders.

If those notices are not complied with, an individual can cop an on-the-spot fine of $500 or face a heftier penalty of more than $6,600 in court.

Corporations can also be fined $33,380 in court.

Junk mail distracting from 'more serious issues'

However, in a new consultation paper, the government has revealed it is receiving a "large and growing number" of complaints about junk mail.

It estimated about one-third of all cases reported to the state's litter and illegal dumping compliance operations unit related to unsolicited advertising material and newspapers.

"Enforcement of these provisions diverts resources from more serious issues such as illegal dumping," the government's consultation paper said.

"The provisions are administratively burdensome and do not allow for a timely rectification of issues."

The government has suggested the penalty for breaching a compliance notice is "too high" — noting it is greater than the penalty for general littering.

It also pointed out the current definition of junk mail exempts community newspapers, which it claimed was the "most common source of litter on footpaths".

The consultation paper has proposed repealing these laws altogether, suggesting junk mail materials are "minor nuisance issues" that could be enforced at a local level under local laws.

State says councils best placed to handle junk mail

Environment Minister Andrew Powell said the government was committed to taking a commonsense approach to reducing rubbish and protecting the environment.

"We are consulting stakeholders on the best way to manage junk mail, including the option of local governments taking a lead compliance role, with submissions on the proposed amendments closing 8 June," he said.

The government has noted it provides funding to councils to employ illegal dumping officers.

It argues they are best placed to respond to junk mail littering or illegal dumping.

Other options canvassed in the consultation paper include devolving to councils and creating penalty infringement notices (PINs) for the relevant offences — and putting newspapers under the definition of unsolicited advertising material.

"Removing these provisions may impact local government's ability to respond to nuisance complaints associated with littering of unsolicited advertising material," it also noted.

"In this case, devolution may be preferable to removal.

"A new PIN associated with this offence that is proportionate to the environmental nuisance caused, may help to enable a faster response to nuisance complaints."

The government says it is running a four-week consultation on the changes.