Depositing asbestos contaminated material on properties at Thirlmere (pictured above) and Rossmore has resulted in fines of more than $335,000.
The offending parties, Andrew Hughes and earthmoving business ANT Civil Pty Ltd, have also been ordered to clean up the site within 30 days in addition to the fines and legal costs.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has revealed that after conducting a years-long investigation into Mr Hughes and ANT Civil for depositing a combined 2,830 tonnes of asbestos contaminated material on properties at Thirlmere and Rossmore, the case has now been resolved.
For polluting the land at Thirlmere, Mr Hughes received a $72,000 fine and ANT Civil received a $110,000 fine, as well as nearly $15,000 in investigation costs.
The EPA thanked Wollondilly Shire Council officers for alerting them to the pollution incidents.
Wollondilly Shire Council has welcomed the resolution of the case.
“This is an important reminder for everyone to never accept supposed free clean fill, as criminal operators can easily take advantage of residents and cause long-term harm to the environment,’’ says Mayor Matt Gould.
“In this case, the offender advertised free clean fill for delivery, but instead the company knowingly supplied contaminated soil which included asbestos waste as well as concrete, bricks, plastic and other debris.
“This was done deliberately and has caused great distress to the property owners, who unwittingly accepted the contaminated fill.
“We are pleased to see that the EPA has conducted a thorough investigation, and the offender has been held accountable for his actions.’’
Three more prosecutions concerning Mr Hughes’ alleged pollution of properties on the outskirts of Greater Sydney are currently before the Land and Environment Court.
