By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A DEVON Meadows business has been spared conviction after illegally dumping 2.4 tonnes of home-renovation rubbish on a secluded road in Junction Village.
In July last year, Dan’s Diggers was paid $2100 to collect assorted rubbish – including carpet, plasterboards, a bathtub, timber frames and a door – from a Langwarrin address, Dandenong Magistrates’ Court heard.
The material was collected in a tip-top truck and then found dumped in Botanic Drive, Junction Village on 3 August 2015.
On inspection of the debris, Casey Council officers found a bank statement for ‘Harshan’ – which led them to the accused business.
Dan’s Diggers owner George Horvat told the court on 8 August that a worker had disobeyed his instructions to take the material to a landfill.
“He was a drug addict just taking the money,” Mr Horvat said, adding that the financial position of his business was “not too good”.
“We didn’t have him for long.”
The council submitted for costs of $3215.11 – including about $1650 for legal fees.
Solicitor Chris Andrews, on behalf of Casey, said “serious general deterrence” was necessary due to rubbish dumping being a “huge problem” for local councils.
Mr Andrews noted Dan’s Diggers – which had no prior convictions – had been paid $2100 for this job alone.
Magistrate Sharon McRae said the $1400-plus clean-up costs claimed by Casey seemed expensive.
“At the end of the day, there’s a large amount of rubbish in a public area.
“We have to send a message that you can’t be doing it.”
Dan’s Diggers faced a maximum of $70,000 for the offence. It was fined $1000 without conviction.
Casey Council was awarded $2500 in costs.
The council stated to Star News that it had issued more than $100,000 in fines for dumping in the past 18 months, but was spending more than $850,000 a year to collect and dispose 3000 tonnes of illegal rubbish.
Mayor Sam Aziz said the money could be better spent on roads, parks and community buildings.
“While the fines do not come close to covering the clean-up costs, these penalties send a clear message that illegal dumping will not be tolerated in Casey.”
Cr Aziz said Dan’s Diggers could have properly disposed of the rubbish at a private landfill for $554.
Casey’s waste and recycling manager Michael Jansen said the council had done 1761 dumped rubbish inspections and issued 93 related infringements in 2015-’16.
Mr Jansen said the council was proactively targeting typical dumping sites such as isolated rural or semi-rural roads, building sites and new estates.
“People can dispose of their waste correctly by using a transfer station or reputable private waste collection company.”
To book a hard waste collection, call Casey Council on 9729 9100 or book online at casey.vic.gov.au.
To report illegal dumping, call on 9705 5200 or use the online litter report form at casey.vic.gov.au/litterreport.
