THE Mornington Peninsula Shire has put Illegal rubbish dumpers and irresponsible dog owners on notice after two people were substantially fined in the past year.
A man was fined $5000 and ordered to pay more than $8000 in clean-up costs after dumping fencing materials at a Hastings reserve, a Dromana Magistrates’ Court heard on 5 September. And on 6 September, a woman was fined $5000 at the Frankston Magistrates’ Court after her dog attacked and seriously injured two women at Hastings in September last year. Police helped the council’s community safety officers secure the dog, which was impounded while an investigation was conducted. “The magistrate found the incident to be at the serious end of offending and expressed concern about the ongoing safety of the community. As a result, the magistrate ordered the dog to be destroyed,” the council stated.
The council’s director community strengthening director Tanya Scicluna said illegal dumping of waste cost ratepayers thousands of dollars each year, as well as spoiling the environment and amenity of open spaces. “We take seriously our role of protecting our community,” she said. “The dumping of waste by commercial business operators is particularly abhorrent as they charge a fee and claim to be disposing of the waste correctly at the Shire’s waste disposal centres. “I urge anyone who witnesses or becomes aware of the unlawful dumping of waste to report it to us. It will be investigated by our litter prevention investigation team and may result in the dumper being fined or prosecuted.
“While dogs can bring much joy into people’s lives, dangerous dogs are a menace to both humans and other animals and need to be strictly controlled. “Dog owners have a responsibility to ensure their pet is always under effective control. Irresponsible dog owners who risk seriously injuring a child, adult or somebody else’s much-loved pet will be prosecuted.”
The council’s community safety team leader Merg Mikaelian said CCTV cameras have captured offenders unlawfully dumping all types of waste, including an old boat and cannabis plants. “The most common items illegally dumped are household waste such as mattresses, couches, green waste, fridges, tyres and white goods,” he said.
“There has been a noticeable increase in the dumping of building materials. Most of this illegally dumped waste is recyclable and/or free of charge to dispose of at the Shire’s resource recovery centres and transfer stations.” Litter prevention officers issued close to 100 fines to offenders caught illegally dumping waste in the past financial year.
The council’s litter prevention team has several matters waiting to be heard before the Magistrates’ Court relating to offenders who have been caught illegally dumping waste in the shire. Offenders can be fined up to $9000 or prosecuted in the Magistrates’ Court, where fines more than $9000 may apply, clean-up costs awarded, and a conviction recorded.
First published in the Mornington News – 5 November 2024
