CHICKEN SHOP CAUGHT DUMPING OIL

A chicken shop owner has been convicted and slapped with a fine for dumping oil down a stormwater drain near his premises.

The food trader was caught red-handed on surveillance cameras pouring food waste and cooking oil down the drain last year.

The company was issued with an $8,000 fine by Council’s Public Health and Environment Officers. This was reduced on appeal when the matter came before Bankstown Local Court in February this year.

In reducing the fine to $4,500, the Magistrate took into account a guilty plea by the owner, and assurances the business would implement measures to ensure it didn’t happen again.

Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek said Council has zero tolerance for businesses who want to cut corners and do the wrong thing.

“We have to send a very strong message that it is all our responsibility to keep our environment safe and polluting our waterways is simply not acceptable,” Mayor El-Hayek said.

“This particular business has been caught and has been fried.”

Mayor El-Hayek thanked the Council Investigators for their tireless efforts in pursuing the case.

“Their slick response resulted in not only nabbing the offender but ensuring the oil was cleaned out of the stormwater system before it contaminated our waterways,” he said.

For tips and more information about disposing of oil, visit the NSW EPA website.

Residents are encouraged to report any information regarding non-compliance by businesses by calling Council on 9707 9000.