Peter Edwin Brown, 44, of Ballajura, was caught on camera on 2 March 2020 driving a Mitsubishi Pajero on Truganina Road, Malaga, a section of road privately owned by the Native Animal Rescue organisation.
Covert images captured tyres inside Mr Brown’s vehicle that were later found dumped by the side of the road. Covert images recorded a short time later showed the vehicle leaving the area with no tyres on board.
Mr Brown was charged with littering waste contrary to Section 23 of the Litter Act 1979. He also failed to notify DWER officers who was driving the vehicle, leading to another charge of failing to comply with Section 27(1a) of the Litter Act 1979.
On Monday 15 February 2021 in the Midland Magistrates Court, Mr Brown was fined $3000 for the littering offence and another $500 for failing to provide information about who was driving the vehicle at the time of the offence. He was also ordered to pay costs of $766.40.
DWER’s Senior Manager of Waste Operations, Matt Warnock, said more illegal dumpers were at risk of being caught as his officers rolled out more covert camera operations.
“We deploy covert surveillance at a variety of locations – not just on Crown land or government property,” Mr Warnock said.
“It costs around five dollars to correctly dispose of a used tyre. My advice is to call an authorised company to dispose of your waste tyres. It’s just not an environmental risk but also a fire risk, just to save a few dollars.”
