Perth courts dished out more than $15,000 in fines, court and clean-up costs this month (October) in three separate illegal dumping cases after investigations by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER).
In one case a man who dumped a large quantity of brown sludge onto the ground at Cockram Road in Martin on August 9, 2018 was fined $7,500 and more than $1,280 in court costs after he was convicted of two counts of illegally dumping waste on October 11.
Horizontal Directional Drilling Pty Ltd Director Mark David Forbes admitted to dumping waste on land, owned by the City of Gosnells and Holcim (Australia) Pty Ltd.
Also on October 11 in Joondalup Magistrates Court, a woman was fined $2,000 and ordered to pay more than $320 in court costs for dumping a large quantity of pamphlets in Yanchep on March 3, 2018.
The department's investigations traced the illegal dumping to local pamphlet delivery walker Kristy Elizabeth Vernon.
On October 4, also in Joondalup Magistrates Court, the owner of Kustom Panel and Paint, Joseph Fredrick Suvalko, was fined $2,500 for a controlled waste offence and ordered costs of more than $750. In addition, the court ordered the owner pay $638, the clean-up costs for the waste dumped at the site.
The offence was uncovered during a DWER patrol of Koala Road in Pinjar on June 15, 2018. A number of drums of waste were found dumped. This included two which included the name "Kustom" written in permanent marker.
Illegal dumping can be reported to DWER's Pollution Watch Hotline on 1300 784 782 or to [email protected] or by contacting Crime Stoppers WA.
As stated by Environment Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Illegal dumping is a crime that demonstrates contempt for the environment.
"Businesses that generate waste must ensure that it is lawfully reused, recycled or disposed of. Any form of illegal dumping can be costly for the offender and the environment that is impacted.
"With a significant investigative network, DWER's inspectors will continue to do everything they can to track down those responsible for illegally dumping waste in Western Australia."
Minister's office - 6552 5800
