Ute driver charged as copper thefts hammer housing market

A ute driver has been charged after allegedly stealing copper guttering from heritage-listed buildings at a Queensland conservation park, with the incident highlighting a nationwide surge in copper theft that is wreaking havoc on heritage sites and construction projects alike.

Rangers at Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park, located 10km northeast of Townsville, were alerted to “suspicious activity” and discovered that the park’s World War II-era fortifications had been damaged, with their copper guttering stripped.

The park, which also features a 1915 quarantine station, is a significant historical site, and the theft has caused outrage among authorities.

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Rangers began following a white ute after suspicious activity involving alleged copper theft was detected at Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park. Source: DETSI

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The copper is being transported on what appears to be a scooter. Source: DETSI

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Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service ranger Joe Jess said the damage to the heritage buildings not only harms the state’s history but also places a financial burden on taxpayers, as costly repairs will now be required.

“We are urging the community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity in our protected areas to QPWS or the Queensland Police Service,” he told Yahoo News.

“Reports can play a critical role in protecting our parks and facilities and ensuring offenders are held accountable.”

Rangers discovered copper had been stripped from the roofs of heritage buildings. Source: DETSI

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The 30-year-old man will face multiple charges, including wilful damage, when he appears in the Townsville Magistrates Court this week.

Copper theft triples in Queensland, hits construction industry hard

The Cape Pallarenda incident is part of a broader crisis sweeping the nation.

Copper theft has surged in recent years, with construction sites, homes, and public infrastructure increasingly targeted by criminals seeking to profit from the valuable metal.

In Queensland alone, the crime has tripled since 2020, according to the Australian Institute of Criminology.

Electricians and builders are bearing the brunt of the thefts, which are causing significant delays and financial strain on new home construction projects.

Melbourne electrician Jay Kinnell, who works on housing developments, says he has been targeted by copper thieves five times this year alone.

Electrician Jay Kinnell has been hit with copper wire theft five times this year alone. Source: @jay.the.sparky/TikTokSource: @jay.the.sparky/TikTok

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“Aircon guys get swamped, but electricians probably have it the worst because our cables are worth the most amount of money, and it’s the easiest thing to pull out of a house,” Mr Kinnell told Yahoo News.

In one recent incident at a construction site in Preston, Melbourne, thieves stripped copper wiring from a half-finished home, forcing Kinnell to redo the work at a discounted rate to help the builder absorb the loss.

While builder’s insurance often covers the theft, the financial and time costs still weigh heavily on tradespeople.

“We’re operating at a partial loss, but it definitely leaves us with a ‘break-even’ repair,” he said.

A nationwide epidemic

Copper theft is not limited to construction sites.

Public infrastructure and heritage properties have also been targeted.

In June, a major Queensland highway was plunged into darkness after road lighting infrastructure was impacted by copper theft.

Last month, CCTV footage captured a thief disguised with a cardboard box stealing $40,000 worth of copper wire and equipment from a Ballarat construction site.

In Coffs Harbour, NSW, a tradie lost $300 worth of copper piping ripped from under a home.

The high scrap metal value of copper makes it an attractive target for criminals, who sell it at unregulated scrap yards or online marketplaces for quick cash.

The Australian Institute of Criminology estimates that metal theft costs the economy over $100 million annually.