Tonnes of used car batteries are piling up on outback Queensland cattle stations and expensive transport licenses are being blamed.
The cost for a permit to transport more than 250 kilograms of batteries costs almost $1,900, making it unviable for many landholders to transport them away to recycling facilities.
Gulf of Carpentaria freight truck driver, Burnette Hollingsworth said these batteries were causing environmental issues, explaining, “the castings deteriorate, the acid goes into the ground, then there’s exposed lead there.”
Burke Shire mayor Ernie Camp says, “We understand the need for licensing but in areas where it’s not economical, the policy of one-size-fits-all, certainly doesn’t subscribe to looking after the environment.”