Do you know what’s in that free landfill you’ve agreed to take in your property?
Does it contain asbestos or other types of hazardous materials?
Campbelltown City Council has just issued a warning to local residents to be aware of the implications of accepting free landfill.
Council says it is responding to a recent spate of unauthorised landfill and vegetation removal incidents across the city.
Residents in rural areas of the community have reported being approached by companies seeking cost-saving opportunities to dispose of construction waste and excavated soil onto local properties, promoting the material as free or cheap landfill.
Mayor of Campbelltown, Cr Paul Hawker, said he hoped landowners would follow council advice to safeguard their property and avoid expensive clean-up costs and fines for illegal works.
“Accepting unauthorised fill, without the proper checks and approvals, could potentially expose landowners, and their families, to hazardous materials such as asbestos, which is often contained in construction waste, and may permanently devalue their property,” Cr Hawker said.
“Landowners should ensure that prior approval is sought for any land use activities – such as landfilling, earthmoving or vegetation removal – conducted on their property, and that the works are conducted lawfully.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“This approval process ensures that the activities will not cause land contamination, adverse drainage or health impacts, or environmental harm.[/social_quote]
“Campbelltown is home to a large variety of plants and animals with high conservation and ecological significance.
“Unauthorised activities, like landfilling, earthmoving and the removal of native vegetation have the potential to destroy these irreplaceable natural assets,” Cr Hawker said.
The penalties for unauthorised works can be hefty, and range up to $5 million where the matter is successfully prosecuted in court.
Penalties are in addition to the costs associated with the remediation of the affected land and the disposal of unauthorised fill, or other waste materials, to a suitably licensed landfill facility.
Residents are encouraged to contact Campbelltown Council to raise any concerns or report incidents of illegal landfilling or vegetation removal.
For more information, visit council’s neighbourhood issues website link.
