On 18 August 2021 at approximately 3:03pm, the Shire of Serpentine and Jarrahdale received a report that three young males had been spotted near oil drums at the junction of Abernethy and Nicholson Roads, Oakford.
Within 20 minutes, a Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale Ranger was on the scene, and he observed that the illegally dumped oil drums had been pierced, with oil spreading on the ground. He retrieved the images from the nearby surveillance camera and identified a white Holden Commodore utility, entering the area with its tray full of oil drums and leaving a short time later with several missing.
The incident was reported to officers from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation who interviewed the owner of the utility, Mark Edward Lyon. Mr Lyon, 58 years old of Oakford, admitted dumping the drums but denied piercing them.
The land is owned and managed by the Water Corporation, which carried out the clean-up of the site to the amount of $3,029.12.
On Tuesday 12 April 2022, the accused entered a plea of guilty with the Armadale Magistrates Court.
Magistrate Steven Malley said that the Court had an obligation to send a clear message and described the offending as "top shelf". His Honour imposed a fine of $15,000, plus prosecution costs of $788, and the clean-up cost of $3,029.
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation Senior Manager Waste Operations, Matt Warnock said the dumping of the drums gave rise to impacts on the environment.
“As a result of the dumping, a large quantity of oil was discharged into the environment, resulting in an emergency clean-up,” Mr Warnock said.
“Our thanks go to the witness who reported the young males next to the oil drums. That witness helped prevent further damage.”
Anyone who witnesses illegal dumping is asked to call the department’s Pollution Watch Hotline on 1300 784 782, email pollutionwatch@dwer.wa.gov.au or call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
