Officers from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) were carrying out a regular patrol of the area when they spotted a female driver and her male companion towing a trailer overflowing with green waste.
The man was seen throwing several large branches from the back of the trailer into bushland before the two officers approached and advised the couple to take the waste to the free, local landfill site which is open seven days a week.
A $200 Litter Infringement was issued and the couple were followed to the landfill where they lawfully offloaded their waste.
“Geraldton has experienced a number of dumping and littering offences in recent months and we hope this acts as a warning to would-be offenders; you will be caught and there will be consequences for your actions,” said Mark Adams, DWER Senior Investigator.
“Littering and illegal dumping can impact people’s health and the environment and create significant clean-up costs.”
A number of areas around Drummond Cove and Glenfield are notorious dumping hotspots including nearby “Rum Jungle” which is currently the subject of a joint community, local government and Keep Australia Beautiful Adopt-A-Spot program, which aims to stamp out littering and illegal dumping and restore the bushland to its natural state.
Illegal dumping can be reported to DWER’s Pollution Watch Hotline on 1300 784 782 email pollutionwatch@dwer.wa.gov.au or City of Geraldton rangers www.cgg.wa.gov.au.
