Illegal dumpers are given notice – you will be caught.
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The warning comes after a property owner from Coomba Park was issued with a costly fine after illegally dumping demolition waste on the Northern Parkway at Tuncurry.
Instead of paying $187 (plus travel costs) to legally dispose of the waste at the Bucketts Way Landfill at Tinonee, he has been issued with a $2000 fine.
At the same time the man was issued with an (unrelated) $1500 fine for demolition without consent
On Tuesday, July 18 MidCoast Council waste and health services team received a complaint from a member of the public regarding illegal dumping of demolition waste at Tuncurry on the golf course road.
Council’s compliance officer and an environmental health officer began an investigation into the allegations.
Over the course of the day some surveillance was undertaken enabling officers to establish the probable source of the waste from a demolition site at Coomba Park.
Extensive evidence was gathered connecting the illegally dumped waste to the property and suspects were questioned.
On July 21 council officers issued two penalties to the land owner of the demolition site – $2000 as the owner of waste being disposed of unlawfully, while the other related to demolition of a dwelling without consent.
Waste health and regulatory services manager, John Cavanagh said MidCoast Council was fortunate the vast majority of community members cared about and took pride in the natural environment.
“We continue to rely on them to report littering and illegal dumping so we can then take action,” Mr Cavanagh said.
“Illegal dumping is a serious issue in our region, and attracts serious consequences
“Our rangers are well-equipped to ensure illegal dumpers will be dealt with, and remain focused on eradicating unlawful waste disposal across the MidCoast”.
While the property owner admitted it was his waste, he claimed someone else did the dumping.
Should the owner provide details of the dumper, they too would then also receive a $2000 fine.
The property owner voluntarily cleaned up the waste and transported it to the Bucketts Way Landfill at Tinonee.