Date Time $100,000 in fines for illegal waste operators Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs The Honourable Meaghan Scanlon More than $100,000 in fines have been issued in the past three months to people who have been illegally operating in the waste industry in Queensland. The Department of Environment and Science (DES) has also issued 16 Direction Notices to immediately cease activities for operators in breach of the Environmental Protection Act 1994. Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said ensuring waste was handled appropriately was fundamental to protecting the environment and our communities. Guaranteeing licensed waste operators who follow the law are protected from operators who are not licensed is also important to the economy, she said.