By Kirsty Ross
TWO landowners have been found guilty of failing to control one of Australia’s worst weeds on their properties.
The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has cracked down on serrated tussock because of its invasiveness, potential for spread, and economic and environmental impacts.
Footscray resident Vincenzo Ceravolo pleaded guilty to two charges in Sunshine Magistrates’ Court over two properties in Truganina.
Mr Ceravolo was convicted and fined $400 and made to pay the DPIcosts of $11,159.
In another case at the Werribee Magistrates’ Court, Tarneit resident Ahmed Dennaoui pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a Land Management Notice (LMN).
He was fined $500 and made to pay the DPI’s costs of $3,340.
DPI catchment coordinator Robert Walker said the landowners were prosecuted after property audits undertaken as part of the State Government’s Tackling Weeds on Private Land initiative.
Earlier this year two companies in Truganina were prosecuted and fined for failing to control serrated tussock.
The Fitzgerald Construction Company Pty Ltd and the Dohertys Road Laverton Company Pty Ltd pleaded guilty in Sunshine Magistrates’ Court for not complying with a LMN.
Wyndham City Council acting infrastructure director Michael McGlade said council upholds the crackdown.
“It supports the council’s Land Management Rate Rebate Scheme to provides financial incentives to landowners to undertaken weed management on their property,” said Mr McGlade.
