Brandon Adams has plenty of international experience and is enjoying his time in the SBL with the Tigers.
Camera IconBrandon Adams has plenty of international experience and is enjoying his time in the SBL with the Tigers. Credit: Supplied/Marcelo Palacios

Wetland contaminated

Vanessa Schmitt, Mandurah Coastal TimesMandurah Coastal Times

Victoria Emily Smith, of Pinjarra, pleaded guilty to contravening the provisions of a planning scheme when she appeared in Mandurah Magistrates Court.

City of Mandurah prosecutor Tim Beckett said Smith owned 2ha of land at Lot 8, 323 Lakes Road. He said City of Mandurah officers inspected the property on July 26 after reports a large truck was dumping material.

Mr Beckett said there were six tonnes of material ” rubbish, building rubble, tyres and car parts ” that also contained asbestos dumped in a wetland. He said half of the wetland had been reclaimed because of the fill and there had been no council approvals.

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Defence lawyer Trent Petherick said it was not a natural dam and Smith had been concerned it might be a potential danger to children in the area.

He said Smith’s husband organised for Mark Kirkham, of Parklands, to fill the dam with green fill. Mr Petherick said Smith thought the dam would be filled with sand.

The court was told Smith did not know a permit was required.

Mr Petherick said Smith faced about $30,000 to $40,000 in future testing and the property had lost value because there was a caveat over it.

Magistrate Robert Lawrence said Smith was the owner of the property and was therefore responsible. Smith was fined $5000 and must pay $1850 in costs.

Kirkham (52) pleaded guilty to stores, breaks or disposes without measures to prevent entering the atmosphere and contravening the provisions of a planning scheme. He is due back in court on June 13.