Joshua Edward Sale, 25, was caught on camera driving a red Holden Calais towing a trailer-load of tyres into Midgegooroo National Park off Logger Road on Wednesday 18 September 2019 at approximately 12:33pm.
He was again caught on camera about five minutes later, leaving the area.
The covert cameras were deployed by the Water Corporation to combat incidences of illegal dumping in water catchment areas.
When interviewed by officers from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Mr Sale admitted to dumping the tyres. He was charged with dumping waste contrary to section 49A(3) of the Environmental Protection Act 1986.
The maximum penalty for this offence for an individual is $62,500.
DWER’s Senior Manager of Waste Operations, Matt Warnock, said tyres were particularly damaging to the environment when illegally dumped.
“In this case it would have cost less than $100 to dispose of these tyres properly. The offender is now facing a bill of more than $3,400. It’s just not worth the risk,” he said.
“Dumped tyres are not only unsightly, but they are also a fire hazard, provide a breeding ground for mosquitos and can leach harmful chemicals into the soil if they burn.
“We would ask people to think about the impact of their actions on the environment and dispose of tyres properly by contacting an authorised tyre disposal company.”
