Evidence provided by the City of Cockburn has helped prosecute two waste dumpers, resulting in combined fines of more than $8,000.
Two separate matters heard in Fremantle Magistrates Court in April and May this year resulted in two men being found guilty of illegally dumping waste in Wattleup and Beeliar.
On 7 May, an Aubin Grove man pleaded guilty to dumping domestic household waste at Dalison Avenue in Wattleup on 16 and 31 October 2020.
He was captured on covert CCTV cameras erected in the area, which is a common location for illegal rubbish dumping.
He was fined $2,200 and ordered to pay $783.50, enabling the City to cover the costs of cleaning up the waste.
On April 16, a Southern River man appeared at the same court and was fined $6,000 plus costs of $418.70 for dumping construction waste at Prizmic Road, Beeliar.
He was charged by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) after its inspector acted on a witness statement alleging a Mercedes Benz truck was seen dumping the waste on 9 April 2020.
City of Cockburn Environmental Supervisor Matthew Kennewell urged people considering illegal dumping to remember that correctly disposing of rubbish and waste was a lot less expensive than copping a fine through the court system.
“Visiting the Henderson Waste Recovery Park (HRWP) is much cheaper than going to court and paying thousands of dollars in fines,” Mr Kennewell said.
“The City and DWER deploy covert cameras in popular dumping areas and members of our community are growing more vigilant, reporting dumpers when they see them in action.
“It costs the City a lot of money to remove waste illegally dumped in our bushland and on road verges, where it becomes a fire and safety hazard for people and wildlife.”
Mr Kennewell said it was also possible for waste to be recycled, with many household items including toys, able to be donated to the Reuse Shop at HWRP to raise funds for community projects.
Visit the City’s
website for more information about services available at HWRP.