- Littering costs man more than $1500
- Surveillance network in known littering hotspots
- More than 660 litter infringements issued since July this year.
A man who dumped unwanted household items on the side of the road in a State forest in Jandabup has been fined $800 and ordered to pay more than $750 in court costs after he was convicted of littering.
Liam Tristram was charged following covert surveillance by investigators from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) and Keep Australia Beautiful Council (KABC) at a known hotspot for littering and illegal dumping.
Joondalup Magistrate’s Court heard Mr Tristram entered State Forest 65 on Warbrook Road Jandabup on 3 October 2018 in a blue Nissan Navara with a load of waste in the rear of the vehicle.
Inspectors who checked the site found a discarded washing machine, barbecue and other household items.
Magistrate Keane accepted that while Mr Tristram was remorseful for his actions, the penalty imposed had to reflect the need to deter people from this behaviour.
Illegal dumping can be reported to DWER’s Pollution Watch Hotline on 1300 784 782 or to pollutionwatch@dwer.wa.gov.au or by contacting Crime Stoppers WA (environmental matters).
KABC also runs a Litter Reporter Scheme, which has more than 15,300 registered reporters and has already issued more than 660 litter infringements this year.
Sign up to become a Litter Reporter today and download the smart phone Litter Report App to easily and safely report littering from vehicles.
Comments attributed to KABC Chairman Michael Aspinall:
"Last year financial year, the KABC issued nearly 2,300 infringements for littering, and more than 660 have been issued since July.
"People littering and illegally dumping may think they are saving money, but they are showing contempt for Western Australia’s environment and it will ultimately cost them much more when they are caught and convicted by the courts.
“The DWER inspectors have developed a significant investigative network and it will continue to work with the KABC to do everything it can to track down those responsible for littering in WA.”
