Bruce Edward Linke fined for carrying out environmentally relevant activity without authority after facing Toowoomba Magistrates Court

A man has faced Toowoomba Magistrates Court for using construction and demolition waste in an attempt to raise the land on his property and prevent erosion from a nearby creek.

A Spring Creek man has been fined after he used construction waste to raise the level of his land to prevent erosion.

Bruce Edward Linke appeared in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Wednesday where he pleaded guilty to carrying out an environmentally relevant activity without holding or acting under an environmental authority.

The court was told Linke illegally dumped construction and demolition waste, including cement blocks, bricks, pavers and timber, between September 1, 2019 and February 17, 2021.

The waste was scattered across the property, as well as the banks of Spring Creek that ran along the edge of the property, in an attempt to raise the level of the land and stop erosion.

Magistrate Kay Philipson fined Linke $5000, as well as ordering he pay investigation costs of $609, with no conviction recorded.

“Under the Environmental Protection Act 1994, it is unlawful to deposit waste to land without a relevant EA. Waste must be disposed of at licensed facilities,” a Department of Environment and Science spokesman said.

“As the environmental regulator, DES takes compliance issues seriously. That’s why our departmental officers routinely conduct inspections to ensure businesses and landowners comply with their environmental obligations.”