Tackling Copper and Scrap Metal Theft in South Australia

We want to hear your views on how to reduce copper and scrap metal theft in South Australia, including regulation to disrupt the disposal of stolen metal.

What's being decided?

The South Australian Government is committed to addressing the issue of copper and other scrap metal theft in South Australia. In line with this, the government is considering potential reform to the state’s laws, aiming to prevent and reduce this type of theft.

Background

The high potential value of scrap metal, along with the ease and speed of its disposal, makes scrap metal theft appear to be a low risk, high-reward enterprise. The continued theft of scrap metal is having significant impact on the South Australian Community. This type of theft causes extensive damage, can cause wide scale interruptions to services and often leads to substantial repair costs.

There is currently no regulation of the scrap metal industry within South Australia or any requirement for scrap metal dealers to be appropriately registered or licensed.

One proposal for reform is to develop a standalone piece of legislation to prevent scrap metal theft and make it more difficult for criminals to sell stolen scrap metal.

This consultation is intended to encourage the community and industry stakeholders to comment on the Government’s proposal for reform and to provide information that will assist the Government to formulate an effective and workable law.

Get involved

We want to hear from the South Australian community, industry, business and individuals and work together to tackle the problem of copper and scrap metal theft.

Find out more:

  • read the Discussion Paper

Have your say by:

  • sharing a comment on the 'guestbook' tool
  • Email a submission to: sapol.licensingenforcementbranch@police.sa.gov.au

What are the next steps?

Your feedback will help inform the Government’s decision to create laws and regulation relating to the scrap metal industry, and ensure any changes are fair and workable for the community and industry.

We want to hear your views on how to reduce copper and scrap metal theft in South Australia, including regulation to disrupt the disposal of stolen metal.

What's being decided?

The South Australian Government is committed to addressing the issue of copper and other scrap metal theft in South Australia. In line with this, the government is considering potential reform to the state’s laws, aiming to prevent and reduce this type of theft.

Background

The high potential value of scrap metal, along with the ease and speed of its disposal, makes scrap metal theft appear to be a low risk, high-reward enterprise. The continued theft of scrap metal is having significant impact on the South Australian Community. This type of theft causes extensive damage, can cause wide scale interruptions to services and often leads to substantial repair costs.

There is currently no regulation of the scrap metal industry within South Australia or any requirement for scrap metal dealers to be appropriately registered or licensed.

One proposal for reform is to develop a standalone piece of legislation to prevent scrap metal theft and make it more difficult for criminals to sell stolen scrap metal.

This consultation is intended to encourage the community and industry stakeholders to comment on the Government’s proposal for reform and to provide information that will assist the Government to formulate an effective and workable law.

Get involved

We want to hear from the South Australian community, industry, business and individuals and work together to tackle the problem of copper and scrap metal theft.

Find out more:

  • read the Discussion Paper

Have your say by:

  • sharing a comment on the 'guestbook' tool
  • Email a submission to: sapol.licensingenforcementbranch@police.sa.gov.au

What are the next steps?

Your feedback will help inform the Government’s decision to create laws and regulation relating to the scrap metal industry, and ensure any changes are fair and workable for the community and industry.

Your comments

Your feedback will help inform the Government’s decision to create laws and regulation relating to the scrap metal industry, and ensure any changes are fair and workable for the community and industry. Please read the attached discussion paper for more information on the proposal.

You need to be signed in to comment in this Guest Book. Click here to Sign In or Register to get involved

The constant copper theft is a problem for residents. Twice in the past, someone stole the copper pipes from my house. Although the scrap value of the pipes is low, I still had to pay a plumber to repair them. Stricter rules are needed to curb the scrap metal trade. This will prevent unexpected problems for residents, giving them peace of mind.

haidarismart about 14 hours ago

I believe that scrap metal has always been in involve in cash business transaction. How do you controll it?
Payment by CC MAYBE THE SOLUTION
PHILIPPE

philippe170163 1 day ago
Page last updated: 05 Feb 2025, 10:16 AM