A third generation Mackay cane farmer has been fined $42,000 after polluting a popular fishing spot with demolition waste because he was trying to stop erosion to his Mount Jukes property.
The offending which spanned seven months from June 2019 to January 2020 was labelled a “serious example” of environmental and development breaches.
Rodney Victor Vassallo deposited 180 to 320 tonnes of demolition scrap over a 170-metre stretch at Constant Creek.
The waste material included bricks, concrete blocks with reinforced steel bars and PVC piping.
Mackay Magistrates Court heard he had placed the debris along the banks – that backed onto his Yakapari Seaforth Road property – and into the water in a bid to try and prevent further erosion.
A magistrate has adjourned the case against a third generation Mackay cane farmer who polluted a popular fishing spot with construction waste so environmental officers can inspect the location.
Rodney Victor Vassallo, through his barrister, told a court he had taken steps to clean up the 180 to 320 tonnes of demolition scrap he deposited over a 170-metre stretch at Constant Creek.
The scaps included bricks, concrete blocks with reinforced steel bars and PVC piping.
Mackay Magistrate Court heard he had placed the construction debris along the banks – that backed onto his Mount Jukes property – and into the water in a bid to try and prevent further erosion.