MOUNT Gambier scrap metal operator Keith Pearson has narrowly escaped a looming impoundment of his illegally parked truck trailers in Compton.
While Grant District Council foreshadowed contractors would move onto the Megaw Road site yesterday morning, Mr Pearson overnight removed five trailers that were parked along the roadside.
The trailer without tyres was in the process of being moved yesterday morning by Mr Pearson.
This comes amid a long legal tussle between the local government body and Mr Pearson who has been accused of dumping material, including trailers, outside his Megaw Road quarry.
Staff placed stickers warning of looming impoundment of the trailers earlier this week amid growing concerns the trailers could cause an accident on Megaw Road.
These concerns were also echoed by the South East Automobile Club, which owns the site across the road from Mr Pearson’s property.
The issue remains ongoing in the Environment Resources and Development Court (ERD) with both parties expected to head back to court early next month.
Council revealed it has taken thousands of photographs of the condition of Megaw Road over the past 12 months as evidence for the court.
The latest development follows Mr Pearson being found guilty in the ERD Court last month regarding illegal storage activity on a property in Mount Gambier.
Council environmental services director Leith McEvoy said the next court hearing regarding Mr Pearson was scheduled for September 3.
“We know a little bit more when the ERD forms an opinion of the condition of Megaw Road,” he said.
He said the landholder was issued a litter abatement notice in regards to the condition of Megaw Road, which was appealed.
Mr McEvoy said the matter was now heading to a full hearing of the court.
Mr Pearson told The Border Watch at the site that he was now “shutting down” his business from the public.
