MEDIA RELEASE

8 January 2019

Large fine for illegal tyres fire

A Hamilton man has been convicted for breaching a national environmental standard and fined $8100 for burning approximately 30 tyres at his family’s Newstead property in February last year. The sentence was imposed by Judge Melanie Harland in the Hamilton District Court on 19 December.

Andrew Matijasevich pleaded guilty to the single charge filed by Waikato Regional Council. The prosecution followed a complaint by a member of the public about black smoke coming from the fire.

Mr Matijasevich had unearthed the tyres and decided to burn them along with felled trees and other debris while cleaning up the property.

“The discharge to air and land that comes from burning tyres is incredibly toxic” said Patrick Lynch, investigations manager for the council.

“That is why burning tyres is one of the few pollution activities that is prohibited nationally.

“We want to remind the public that if they need to dispose of tyres, please do so in a lawful and environmentally considerate way.”

More information about environmental effects and disposal methods can be found at:

https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/services/regional-services/waste-hazardous-substances-and-contaminated-sites/solid-waste/tyre-disposal/

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