NILLUMBIK: $60,000 fine for million-dollar dump
Diamond Creek property owner Joseph Chetcutti has been fined $60,000 and ordered to clean up the mess, expected to cost more than $1 million.
The case went before Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court last Tuesday (July 21), and was described by Environment Protection Authority CEO Joss Crawford as a “brazen and highly organised criminal waste dumpring operation”.
Mr Chetcuti pleaded guilty to depositing industrial waste without authorisation and failing to comply with an environmental action notice. He must also pay $12,098 in legal costs.
An ABC report by Ethan White described as one of Victoria’s worst illegal dump sites.
Fire crews sent to the property found that industrial waste was being burnt off without authorisation. Asbestos was found wihin the soil at the property.
The Environment Protection Authority said that Mr Chetcuti failed to comply with notices. Further investigations are being made into the trucking companies and vehicles used to transport the waste to the Diamond Creek property.
A Nillumbik Shire representative said: “Council acknowledges the significant work undertaken by EPA Victoria as the lead agency responsible for investigating and enforcing illegal waste dumping offences. We also thank Victoria Police, CFA members and Council officers who have worked on this matter over an extended period.”