Prosecution for Illegal dumping at Torgoyle Reserve

The City of Cockburn's response to PerthNow Cockburn on 7 December about the prosecution of a man for illegal dumping at Torgoyle Reserve 

Question: Would the City like to provide comments about this case and illegal dumping in general?
Answer: The City urges people considering illegal dumping to remember that correctly disposing of rubbish and waste is a lot less expensive than receiving 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.
 
The City and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation 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.
 
It is 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.

The City spends $1.5m annually removing illegally dumped rubbish from its 450 parks and reserves, plus city-wide litter removal from road verges. This includes wage and vehicle costs and dumping fees.
 
Torgoyle Reserve is a common spot for people dumping unwanted household items, but covert camera surveillance – which is employed in many reserves throughout the City – has enabled successful prosecution of several people in the past, with other cases before the courts.
 
Commonly dumped items included household furniture, whitegoods, beds, tables, couches and mattresses.
 
If items can’t be given away to family or friends, or you can’t sell them, give them away for free online. They can also be donatedto charities, many of which have free collection services.
 
While people may not be able to get rid of all their unwanted items, it will reduce the load and the tipping fees when disposing of them at HWRP.

It’s a lot kinder on the environment and much cheaper on the hip pocket than a fine at the local magistrate’s court.