New laws to stamp out copper theft a major win for Council

Published 11 March 2026

• City of Moreton Bay has applauded the State Government for introducing new draft laws that target copper theft
• The much-needed legal reform comes after City of Moreton Bay led a statewide push, supported by all Queensland councils, for legislative change to stop the copper black market
• Council looks forward to seeing the implementation of these important new laws to enhance public safety and save ratepayers and taxpayers millions of dollars

City of Moreton Bay has welcomed new laws targeting copper theft after leading the push for legislative reform to stamp out the costly crime.

In a major win for Council and other local governments across Queensland, the State Government last week introduced draft legislation that aims to disrupt the sale and disposal of stolen scrap metal.

Mayor Peter Flannery thanked the State Government for taking on Council’s legislative suggestions to stop copper theft being a lucrative crime.

“This legislation is an exciting development for our City – and other Queensland councils – severely impacted by the copper black market,” he said.

“Rampant copper theft has seen our streets and sporting clubs repeatedly plunged into darkness, causing grave safety concerns.

“It has also been extremely costly, with millions of dollars in ratepayer funds spent on repairs, not to mention the cost to the State Government energy network, residents and businesses.

“These laws are much-needed to put a stop to this criminal scourge, which has negatively impacted our communities for too long.”

For more than three years, Council has been front and centre of the push for new laws to crack down on copper theft.

At the LGAQ annual conference in 2023, Queensland’s 76 other Councils joined City of Moreton Bay’s call for action.

That year, the previous government held a parliamentary inquiry into scrap metal theft and the LNP committed that, if elected, they would introduce legislation to target copper theft.

Council has continually warned that costly copper theft would continue to run rampant unless there was legislative change, which was initiated last week.

Under the Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026, there will be increased penalties for metal theft.

There will also be two new offences for attempted metal theft and possession of a prescribed metal item reasonably suspected of being stolen.

All transactions involving scrap metal will need to be recorded in a transaction register. The Secondhand Dealers Act will also include a definition of ‘scrap metal’ and impose additional photographic identity verification requirements on second-hand dealers transacting in scrap metal.

“We are delighted the Crisafulli Government is delivering on its election commitment and we thank the Attorney-General for introducing this legislation and honouring the election commitment,” Mayor Flannery said.

“We look forward to these laws rolling out to ensure they work for our community and will continue to work with the State Government to ensure that copper theft is stamped out, our communities are safer and millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money is not unnecessarily wasted.

"It will stop thieves putting lives at risk – including their own – as they often remove live wires.

“It will also prevent public safety from being put at risk due to streets being left in the dark, ensure residents have reliable power, and keep sporting fields lit up at night so kids can play sport.”