Council to prosecute environmental breaches

Council today resolved to commence prosecutions in the Magistrates Court against two parties for alleged breaches of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 in relation to inspections of campsites being used during last year’s Cairns Show.

In July 2019, Council Officers issued Gordon Richards Enterprises Pty Ltd with a $10,008 infringement notice for “depositing prescribed water contaminants in waters/stormwater or in such a way that reaches waters”.

Council also issued Robbert Schoevaart a $2001 infringement notice in July 2019 for “for placing a contaminant where an environmental nuisance may be caused”.

Both parties unsuccessfully appealed the infringements through Council’s internal review process and notified Council of their intention to have their respective matters heard in the Magistrate Court.

However, Robbert Schoevaart has today advised Council of their intention to pay the imposed fine and not proceed to court.