40 fined in covert surveillance of Sydney's drinking catchment - 26 July 2010
Forty fines have been issued to individuals and corporations for illegal activity in the drinking water catchment under covert surveillance operations to ensure Sydney’s drinking supplies are not put at risk.
NSW Minister for Water Phil Costa said 38 people and two corporations were fined in the first 12 months of new covert camera trial and surveillance operations after they were caught illegally accessing restricted drinking catchment lands or polluting waterways.
“These people might think their actions are harmless but they could be putting drinking supplies of more than 4.5 million people at risk,” Minister Costa said. “The NSW Government’s message is clear: if you think you can flout the rules in place to protect Sydney’s drinking water you are wrong - we will catch you.
“We have put in place a network of covert cameras camouflaged in locations across the drinking water catchments to capture images which are then sent back to compliance officers at Sydney Catchment Authority headquarters.
“These camouflage surveillance cameras we installed throughout the catchments have already produced results, allowing compliance officers to catch people engaging in illegal activity in the act.”
Fines include:
12/07/10 Person caught trail bike riding in a Special Area, fined $300 for illegal trespassing.
09/05/10 Two men caught deer hunting in a prohibited access Special Area, fined $300 each for illegal trespassing.
09/05/10 Person caught mountain bike riding in a Special Area, fined $300 for illegal trespassing.
07/04/10 Tourist company fined $1500 for pollution of waters after they installed illegal toilet facilities and allowed the sewage to drain into an open pit near a waterway.
02/04/10 Two people caught bushwalking in a prohibited access Special Area, fined $300 each for illegal trespassing.
02/04/10 Person caught bushwalking in a prohibited access Special Area, fined $300 for illegal trespassing.
15/03/10 Person caught fishing in a Special Area, fined $750 for illegally fishing in a Special Area.
07/03/10 Group of three people caught in-line skating in a Special Area, fined $300 each for illegal trespassing.
27/02/10 Person caught trail bike riding in a Special Area, fined $300 for illegal trespassing.
21/02/10 Group of four people caught trail bike riding in a Special Area, fined $300 each for illegal trespassing.
18/02/10 Group of three people caught fishing in a Special Area, fined $300 each for illegal trespassing.
02/01/10 Two people caught bushwalking in a prohibited access Special Area, fined $300 each for illegal trespassing.
01/01/10 Two people caught fishing in a Special Area, fined $300 each for illegal trespassing.
30/12/09 Two people caught trail bike riding in a Special Area, fined $300 each for illegal trespassing.
26/12/09 Landowner caught discharging sediment laden water into a local waterway following construction on the property, fined $750 for pollution of waters.
16/11/09 Five people caught swimming in Upper Cordeaux Dam in the Metropolitan Special Area, fined $300 each for illegal trespassing.
16/10/09 Three people caught bushwalking in a prohibited access Special Area, fined $300 each for illegal trespassing.
18/09/09 Person caught bushwalking in a prohibited access Special Area, fined $300 for illegal trespassing.
18/09/09 Person caught driving into a Special Area, fined $300 for illegal trespassing.
21/08/09 Two people caught on camera driving a ute into a Special Area, fined $300 each for illegal trespassing.
02/06/09 Corporation fined $1500 for pollution of waters following a construction related incident that caused sediment laden water to be released into a nearby waterway.
“The restricted lands, or Special Areas, form a 3,700 square kilometre pristine buffer zone around our water supplies, protecting them by stopping contaminants and nutrients from washing into water storages,” Minister Costa said.
“When this buffer zone is penetrated by people engaging in illegal activity, the integrity of Sydney’s drinking supplies can come under threat.”
“We are fortunate to have so many beautiful parks and bushwalking tracks in the local area for people to take advantage of - there are no excuses for trespassing in the drinking catchment,” the Member for Mulgoa, Diane Beamer, said. "When people ignore the rules it’s not fair on the rest of the community who do the right thing.”
“These new cameras are compact, high-tech, motion-sensing units that have an infrared flash for night time use,” Minister Costa said.
“On top of this, we have a 35 strong team of dedicated compliance officers who are out in the catchment conducting regular mobile patrols, targeted blitzes, inspections and aerial surveillance, as well as undertaking joint operations with the NSW Police.
“There are hundreds of signs across the catchment clearly stating access is prohibited and fines apply so there is no excuse for flouting the law.
“Fines of $300 to $44,000 apply for illegal entry and unauthorised activities, with higher penalties available if the matter is referred for prosecution.
“Fines for pollution of waterways are up to $250,000 for individual or $1,000,000, in addition maximum daily penalties of $120,000 for as long as the pollution continues.
“Illegal entry and activities such as trail bike riding, horse riding and four wheel driving in these areas damages vegetation, causes erosion and can have a negative impact on water quality and biodiversity.
“Bushwalking, mountain bike riding, camping, hunting, fishing and swimming are also illegal in prohibited access areas, as these activities can impact upon water quality.
“Illegal dumping, clearing vegetation illegally, drug cultivation and polluting waterways can also have a negative impact on drinking water quality.
“Most recently, two men were fined after they were caught trespassing in the restricted drinking water catchment lands with a firearm. These hunters are putting the lives of the SCA staff who regularly patrol the area at risk.
“Dams play a vital role in the NSW Government’s plan to secure Sydney’s water supplies for the future alongside key initiatives including recycling, desalination and water efficiency.”
