Hundreds of illegally dumped tyres discovered at Springbrook

Issued: 12 Aug 2025

The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation is calling for public assistance to identify the person or business responsible for illegally dumping more than 550 tyres in one of the state’s most iconic national parks.

Rangers discovered the tyres at three separate sites in or around Springbrook National Park in the Gold Coast Hinterland on Thursday, 7 August 2025.

It’s believed the tyres were dumped between Tuesday 5 August and Thursday 7 August, 2025 at three locations along Pine Creek Road – on the corner of Pine Creek Road and Murwillumbah Road, at the edge of a dam on Pine Creek Road, and south of the second bridge on Pine Creek Road.

Jackie McKeay, Executive Director of Waste and Enforcement Services at DETSI, said this incident was extremely serious and had the potential to cause serious harm to a highly sensitive environment.

“Illegal dumping pollutes our soil and waterways, threatens native animals, damages fragile ecosystems, and can pose a significant fire risk.

“The fact that this occurred in Springbrook National Park, an area protected for its internationally-important conservation values, makes this incident even more concerning.

“Departmental officers are working hard to clean up the sites and to identify the person responsible.

“We are asking anyone who saw anything suspicious at these locations between August 5 and 7 to call us on 1300 130 372. Callers can remain anonymous.”

Springbrook National Park features spectacular waterfalls, lush rainforests, and is home to a number of endangered or vulnerable plant and animal species. It forms part of the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest, one of five World Heritage areas in Queensland.

Everyone can play a part in stamping out illegal dumping by reporting it via DETSI’s Litter and Illegal Dumping Online Reporting System.