Complete Construction Services WA Pty Ltd and the individual were charged with five offences after five separate loads of waste were dumped in one day on Mead Road, East Rockingham.
The incident, which occurred between 8:11am and 5:22 pm on Sunday 18 September 2022, involved two trucks – one driven by the individual and the other by a hired contractor – dumping five loads of dirt and green waste on the road.
Following other incidents of illegal dumping along Mead Road, investigators from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation had placed a surveillance camera in the vicinity.
The covert camera captured images of the trucks entering the road full and leaving empty.
DWER investigators were advised by the individual that the waste was from a nearby renovation job to which the company was contracted, and the waste was dumped at the Mead Road location because the authorised landfill facility was closed.
In the Rockingham Magistrates Court on Friday 5 July 2024, the individual was fined $40,000, and Complete Construction Services was fined $75,000. Court costs totalled $968.40.
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s Executive Director for Assurance, Ruth Dowd, said while dumping dirt and green waste may seem less harmful than dumping other waste, the implications on the receiving environment were significant.
“Green waste and garden soil does not belong in natural bushland. It can spread disease and introduce invasive species such as weeds, can block access for firefighters, and create hazards such as odours as it biodegrades.”
“The substantial penalty imposed in this case should send a warning to other companies and individuals that unlawfully dumping waste of any kind is unacceptable.”
Anyone who witnesses illegal dumping is asked to call DWER’s Environment Watch Hotline on 1300 784 782, email environmentwatch@dwer.wa.gov.au or call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
