Shire of Mt Magnet takes its deputy president to court over alleged asbestos dumping

The Shire of Mt Magnet is taking its deputy president to court over allegations he illegally dumped asbestos at the local tip.

After property on Kennedy Court owned by Ian Black caught fire in January this year, tests conducted by the shire’s health inspector revealed asbestos was present.

Police said the case has been closed pending new information, but at the time had treated the fire as suspicious.

The shire alleges Cr Black used a bobcat to transport the asbestos to the tip, doing so without safety gear and without taking the proper precautions to prevent the spread over the more than 3km trip in late April and early May.

The shire said the tip was closed for almost a week, to seal the asbestos and create a new pit for household waste, in what it said was a “significant use of shire resources”.

Shire president Jim McGorman said the alleged asbestos situation was not something to take lightly.

Cr Black was charged with carrying out any development in any part of an area the subject of a local planning scheme otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of the planning scheme.

The matter is due back in Cue Magistrates Court on Thursday, June 27.

Cr Black also posted a message on the local noticeboard allegedly defaming the health inspector, and was asked to explain himself at a special meeting of council on Wednesday, May 15.

According to the minutes of the meeting, the council condemned Cr Black’s actions, reported the matter to the Worksafe commissioner, and lodged a complaint to the Local Government Standards Panel.

Cr Black told the Midwest Times he has been advised by his lawyers not to comment.