Jessica Micallef
A Campbellfield man has been fined more than $80,000 for dumping “significant” volumes of waste at a Diggers Rest property.
The Magistrates Court fined Alex Anasis $82,610 without conviction and ordered he pay $1000 to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) for dumping tyres, concrete, bricks, soil, metal, timber, plastic, plaster sheet, mattresses, household rubbish and green waste in piles measuring up to an estimated 90 cubic metres.
The EPA was made aware of the dumping following a report from a member of the public.
The court heard that EPA officers conducted surveillance on the ground and observed trucks unloading waste at the Diggers Rest property. Aerial drones were used to photograph stockpiles of waste . EPA officers also conducted formal inspections of the premises.
During the investigation, EPA officers followed trucks bringing waste to the Diggers Rest property from a location in Heidelberg.
The Diggers Rest land was not licenced to accept industrial waste and had been leased as a residential property.
The court also ordered Anasis to reinstate the Diggers Rest property to its original condition under the Planning and Environment Act.
An EPA spokesperson said the case was a clear demonstration that the EPA would follow up on reports made from the public.
“Companies and individuals must understand their responsibilities to the community and the environment,” the spokesperson said.
