Peter Radwanski, Aaron and Samantha Ifould.
Camera IconPeter Radwanski, Aaron and Samantha Ifould. Credit: Supplied/Bruce Hunt d474427

Tapping resident raises concerns about illegal dumping in State forest in Pinjar

Laura PondNorth Coast Times

TAPPING resident Samantha Ifould is concerned about illegal dumping in State forest in Pinjar.

She drives through the area regularly and said there was frequently a range of dumped rubbish, from building materials to cars and even a swimming pool.

“It’s littered big time with people dumping stuff,” she said.

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“It’s becoming beyond a joke.

“This has been going on for years. It looks like a tip.”

Ms Ifould said problem areas included between Neaves and Old Yanchep roads and had reported dumping to a range of agencies but it was “referred from one person to another”.

City of Wanneroo assets director Harminder Singh agreed illegal dumping was an issue across the City but the amount dumped had decreased from 756 tonnes in 2015-16 to 536 tonnes in 2016-17.

He said rangers immediately visited sites when they received an illegal dumping report and the City spent $745,666 on these services in 2016-17.

“Rangers carry out immediate taping and investigation of the dumped items, acting quickly to identify the parties involved in illegal dumping,” he said.

“When identifiable materials are discovered, infringements are issued.”

The State forest area is managed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and a spokeswoman said it removed dumped rubbish following reports, and patrolled the area with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER).

“DBCA staff removed more than 100 dumped cars from the Gnangara and Pinjar forest areas during the past financial year,” she said.

The spokeswoman said removed bulk rubbish in September at Higgins and Koala roads but Ms Ifould believed there was still significant waste in the area and wanted more to be done to stop the problem.

According to the DWER, the forest is a dumping ‘hot spot’ and it investigates alleged offenders.

“Officers from DWER’s Illegal Dumping Program patrol this area regularly and carry out covert camera deployments, with a view to capturing CCTV footage of any illegal dumping offences,” a spokeswoman said.

Ms Ifould is also concerned about the state of the road that leads to The Buggy Club, which she attends, and Wanneroo Aeromodellers.

“On a weekend at least a couple of hundred cars would go up that road,” she said.

“A normal sedan driving up that road would find it very rough and have to drive very slowly, it’s very rough.

“For a public road it shouldn’t be in that condition.”

Though known as Cecil Road to the clubs, the DBCA said it was Gallagher Road and found it was in good condition following an inspection on October 19, though removed several piles of dumped rubbish.

Councillor Brett Treby introduced a motion on notice at the August council meeting regarding illegal dumping during bulk waste pick-up periods.

Mr Singh said in response the City had “stepped up” the use of covert cameras to catch offenders and deployed variable message signs warning dumping was illegal.

Existing efforts include notifying nearby residents that waste needs to be removed from the verge, which Mr Singh said resulted in 20 per cent of rubbish piles in the past seven months requiring removal from the City, and it collaborates with the DWER to investigate and prosecute offenders.

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