Mornington Peninsula Shire and Frankston City Councils have joined forces to take legal action against a serial rubbish dumper, laying close to $7,000 in fines on the Mornington business.
The Dromana Magistrate's Court and Frankston Magistrates' Court found tree pruning and removal business Trim Up Tree Service Pty Ltd guilty of deposit of litter for dumping truckloads of mulch and garden waste at Mount Martha and Langwarrin.
Mornington Peninsula Shire has a strong zero-tolerance approach to illegally dumped rubbish, successfully prosecuting more than 12 offenders this year resulting in excess of $12,000 worth of penalties.
Illegal dumping is a crime and can incur on the spot fines. Both Councils will investigate all reported cases and prosecute dumpers with penalties of up to $9,500.
Councils understand Trim Up Tree Service Pty Ltd may have been paid by residents to assist with clearing property ahead of summer.
Residents across both the Peninsula and Frankston regions are encouraged to prepare their properties in the lead-up to summer and during the Declared Fire Danger Period to address potential fire hazards.
Each year Mornington Peninsula Shire releases a fire management contractors list to assist homeowners with engaging reputable local businesses to undertake fire management works in preparation for summer.
The 2019/20 fire management contractors list is available online at: mornpen.vic.gov.au/fireprevention
Mornington Peninsula Shire has increased efforts to deter and penalise rubbish dumping on the Peninsula in a variety of ways, including:
- Patrolling of dumping hot spots
- CCTV and covert cameras installed across the Shire
- Installation of gates, fences and bollards to prevent access to parks and reserves
- Investigation of all dumping incidents, issuing infringement notices and referring serious matters to the Magistrate's Court for prosecution
- Rollout of its Dob in a Dumper campaign to raise awareness of the available legal disposal methods
Everyone can support Council's efforts to protect the environment and to keep the Peninsula clean:
Report dumpers at mornpen.vic.gov.au/dobinadumper or via the Snap Send Solve app
Call Mornington Peninsula Shire Customer Service 1300 850 600.
