Dumping dispute headed to court

A person will face court after being fined for illegally dumping rubbish on a private property in the Moreton Bay Region last year.

The $2757 fine was issued in October, but the person has since requested the matter be heard in a Magistrates Court, rather than paying the fine.

The penalty infringement notice was issued over what Council officers alleged to be an offence under the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011.

Moreton Bay Regional Council Community and Environmental Services Director Bill Halpin told this week’s Council meeting the person could have been financially better off paying to dispose of the waste at a Council tip.

Cheaper to use a tip

“The rate to dump this sort of rubbish is probably about $230 a tonne – the fine is $2757,” Mr Halpin said.

“In this instance this particular matter occurred on private property, so I guess we’re just making it clear that whether you are illegally dumping waste on public property or private property we will follow up on that.

“We’re just encouraging people please do the right thing, please pay your share and please don’t illegally dump in our region.”

Cr Adam Hain (Div 3) asked Mr Halpin whether police had been involved in the incident.

“That would be a matter for the private property owner, who’s just happy that the rubbish is away and the person’s been fined,” Mr Halpin said.

Councillors voted unanimously to allow the issue to be dealt with in a Magistrates Court at a date to be set.