Jindera hoarder's 14-year court battle ends as tonnes of scrap cleared
A court ordered clearance of a Jindera property after 14 years of complaints.
On Monday, October 26, trucks arrived at a Wood Street home in Jindera with police on standby to remove hundreds of items collected by resident Ian Pertzel. A court ordered the clean-up after Greater Hume Shire's previous notices were ignored.
Cars, caravans, bikes, trailers, water tanks, coils of wire and metal drums were piled so high the owner had to scale them to enter. A neighbour's complaint in June 2012 started the fight.
Judge Richard Beasley ruled in May that the site was being used as a garbage tip. Pertzel had opposed clean-up, telling the court the items were essential for his wellbeing.
He also claimed rats don't eat bicycles. Greater Hume said the costs would be placed as a debt against the property.
The metal will be recycled locally; other materials go to Culcairn.
- Ian Pertzel
- Property owner
- 14
- Years since first complaint
- June 2012
- First complaint date
- Richard Beasley
- Judge
Why it mattersCourt-ordered clean-ups show councils can force action when residents refuse voluntary compliance for years.
AustraliaThe case sets a precedent in NSW for how local councils can enforce environmental orders on residential hoarding disputes.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
