A camera sting operation undertaken by inspectors from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has resulted in convictions for a number of people caught illegally dumping waste on land that is part of a State park.
Covert surveillance was set up at Warbrook Road, Jandabup, in Perth’s northern suburbs. They recorded five offenders dumping material ranging from asbestos to green waste on a total of 13 occasions.
The operation resulted in five men facing charges in the Joondalup Magistrates Court on June 5, 2020.
- On December 12, 2018, a Toyota Landcruiser ute entered the area loaded with bricks and sand waste. The vehicle was photographed as the waste was dumped. Among the waste DWER inspectors found documents bearing the name Giuseppe Napoli. The distinctive vehicle also led inspectors to Mr Napoli and he was charged with Unauthorised Discharge of Waste under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. He pleaded guilty and was fined $4,500 plus costs of $418.
- On April 12, 2019, a Nissan Patrol towing a trailer loaded with sheets of broken corrugated fencing material was recorded entering the site, then recorded a short time later leaving with an empty trailer. Samples of the fencing material were found to contain Chrysolite white asbestos. The broken sheets of asbestos were transported to the site on public roads in an uncovered trailer. Erol Raphael was charged under the Litter Act 1979 and faced an additional charge for failing to identify who was driving the vehicle. He was fined $4,000 plus costs of $418.
- Daniel Edward Shackleton was charged over three separate occasions, on January 22 and 23, 2019, after chunks of demolished concrete were dumped at the site. It was alleged that a tip truck was hired to dump the waste. It was found that the behaviour was commercially driven. Mr Shackleton pleaded guilty and was fined $9,000 plus $418 costs.
- Gerald Francis Stidworthy was photographed on three occasions in 2019, on August 6, August 12 and September 18, entering the site with a trailer full of waste and leaving with it empty. He pleaded guilty and was fined $3,000 plus $418 costs.
- Christopher Thomas Winter pleaded guilty to charges related to five occasions in 2019 when he dumped green waste and sand. While the court acknowledged that the dumped material was relatively benign, the quantity was significant and was likely to have contained chemicals and pollutants which had the potential to detract from the beauty of the bushland, and could reduce the ability of the public to use and enjoy the area. Mr Winter was fined $3,000 and ordered to pay costs of $766.40.
Illegal dumping can be reported to DWER’s Pollution Watch Hotline on 1300 784 782 or to [email protected]
As stated by Environment Minister Stephen Dawson:
“This operation and the resulting convictions send a message that illegal dumping is not OK. Operations like this will continue so this should serve as a reminder for people to do the right thing.
“While it might seem that dumping green waste in bushland causes little harm, it’s still damaging to the environment. It’s easy to dispose of waste legally, and people risk significant penalties if they do not.”
