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Wattleup dumper cops fine

Holly ThompsonSound Telegraph
Environment Minister Stephen Dawson has said areas in Perth’s southern suburbs are now a target of a covert camera operation to stop illegal dumping.
Camera IconEnvironment Minister Stephen Dawson has said areas in Perth’s southern suburbs are now a target of a covert camera operation to stop illegal dumping. Credit: Supplied

A man has been fined over $4650 after he was found guilty of dumping and littering furniture, whitegoods and household rubbish in Wattleup.

Steven James Papalia was convicted of two counts of dumping, two counts of littering and two counts of failing to provide information on four separate occasions at Torgoyle Reserve in October and November 2019.

The convictions were a result of a covert camera operation run by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, which caught Papalia dumping the material.

The same camera operation has also identified illegal dump sites in the City of Kwinana, Rockingham and Cockburn, with 29 infringements issued since the start of 2018.

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There have also been six prosecutions, which Environment Minister Stephen Dawson said were more serious than the infringements.

“My message to illegal dumpers is this; you are being targeted,” Mr Dawson said.

“Officers from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation are actively setting up covert camera operations to record your movements and track you down.”

Mr Dawson said these operations were now under way south of Perth.

“The penalties for illegal dumping are in the thousands of dollars. Some items are free of charge to drop off at waste facilities. It makes sense to do the right thing,” he said.

“Enforcement officers are using advanced technology to track down people who dump waste illegally. We are getting better at it and we will prosecute anyone who is caught.

“Unfortunately, there are areas in the southern suburbs that have become dumping grounds for illegal waste. Enforcement officers deliberately target these areas to target offenders.”

Magistrate Joanne Andretich fined 53-year-old Papalia $3500 under the Environmental Protection Act and Litter Act, after he appeared at Fremantle Magistrate’s Court. He was also fined costs of $1157.80, for his six charges.

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