New laws introduced will slug individuals and corporations with hefty penalties if they are caught illegally dumping waste
November 18, 2010
Individuals and corporations will be slugged with heavy penalties for illegally dumping waste under new laws introduced in Western Australia.
The Barnett Government this week passed reforms targeting people dumping trailer-loads of waste in natural reserves, forests and public areas on the outskirts of cities and towns.
Environment Minister Donna Faragher says individuals will be fined up to $62,500 if caught illegally dumping waste, while corporations face fines of up to $125,000.
“Under the amendments to the Environmental Protection Act, serious acts of illegal dumping, including small quantities of materials that pose an environmental hazard or large quantities of innocuous materials, will be penalised accordingly,” she says.
Faragher says the new penalties will deliver “a very significant deterrent against dumping” and will come into effect early next year.
“Illegal dumping of waste is not only detrimental to the health of our environment but also poses a threat to public safety. The State Government will not tolerate illegal dumping and is taking the necessary action to combat it,” she says.