Council calls on State to deliver on copper theft legislation

Published 08 July 2025

• Rampant copper theft costing Queensland millions of dollars each year in cost-of-living crisis
• Sport clubs and communities repeatedly left in the dark as copper wire ripped out from lights
• City of Moreton Bay calls on the State Government to honour its pre-election commitment to introduce new laws targeting ‘off the books’ scrap metal trade

City of Moreton Bay is calling on the State Government to fulfil its election commitment to introduce legislation targeting copper theft, which is costing Queenslanders millions of dollars each year.

The scourge is also putting public safety at risk as streets and sporting clubs across Southeast Queensland are repeatedly plunged into darkness.

Mayor Peter Flannery said he is keen to see the State Government implement its promised new laws to ban the sale of scrap metal to unlicensed dealers.

“In the lead up to last year’s election, the LNP said Queensland was ground zero for cost of living and crime as it announced it would introduce practical new laws to crack down on ‘off the books’ scrap metal trade,” he said.

“For more than two years we’ve been pushing for a simple legislative change, which would effectively kill the resale market for stolen copper immediately, so we were pleased to get the support of the Crisafulli Government.

“While we understand the new government has a substantial legislative agenda to deliver, costly copper theft will continue to run rampant until action is taken.”

The cost of replacing copper wire ripped out from local sports clubs, street lights and construction sites continues to mount. Since 2021, City of Moreton Bay has incurred around half a million dollars of repairs due to copper theft, and it is a similar story for other councils.

“That’s not to mention the many millions every year that copper theft costs the State Government as well as businesses,” Mayor Flannery said.

“Addressing a legislative loophole would stamp out what’s become a lucrative crime, help the state’s coffers and stop wasting ratepayer dollars.”   

Specifically, City of Moreton Bay wants the State Government to immediately amend the Second-Hand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act 2003, and bring Queensland into line with other states:

• Prohibit scrap metal dealers from paying cash for scrap metal,
• Require scrap metal dealers to report suspicious transactions to the police,
• Require scrap metal dealers to keep and maintain corresponding records of transactions for buying scrap metal, including details of the person selling the scrap metal; and
• Reflect contemporary comparable legislation in other jurisdictions (i.e. NSW Scrap Metal Industry Act 2016).

The call to update the Act has been backed by the Local Government Association of Queensland and also led to a parliamentary inquiry into scrap metal theft under the previous government in 2023. The inquiry recommended a raft of measures including determining the most effective approach to strengthening the State’s legislative framework, whether that be amending current laws or introducing a new, industry specific law such as occurred in New South Wales.

“Current legislation allows thieves to take stolen copper to a pawn broker without identification and receive a cash payment,” Mayor Flannery said.

“We’re stuck in a circuit of theft and repair – this situation cannot continue. 

“Thieves are putting lives at risk, including their own, as they remove live wires, which is leaving streets and even highways in the dark and kids unable to play sport at night.”

Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway said a ‘no cash for scrap scheme’, like that in operation in NSW, would save money – and potentially lives.

“The State Government can implement a solution to end the resale market for stolen copper which will be far more effective than any amount of CCTV, policing or other deterrents that cost taxpayers significantly,” she said.