Port Adelaide Salvage to front court over 17 charges from the EPA

The director of a demolition and waste contractor has been hit with 17 charges after he allegedly hindered, assaulted and abused EPA officers.

The director of a northern suburbs demolition and waste contractor allegedly hindered, assaulted and used abusive language towards Environment Protection Authority officers, the agency claims.

Port Adelaide Salvage and its sole director, Maurizio Corsaro, have been charged with 17 offences under the Environment Protection Act.

The EPA alleges the company and Mr Corsaro operated illegal depots in Houghton and Sedan between 2017 and 2019.

They are also facing charges of breaching clean up orders and hindering, assaulting and using abusive language towards EPA officers.

The EPA allege both failed to heed three clean up orders.

Port Adelaide Salvage was caught dumping rubbish at an illegal tip. Picture: EPA.

The charges follow an EPA investigation into alleged unlicensed waste depots operated by Port Adelaide Salvage and Mr Corsaro.

The agency then engaged licensed contractors to remove asbestos contaminated waste in April, 2020 and dispose of it at licensed facilities.

It is now seeking to recover more than $600,000 in clean-up costs from the company.

It was already fined a total of $37,500 in 2019 for operating an illegal dump in Highbury in 2012, and another in Houghton.

In October, 2019 the EPA suspended the company’s authority to transport waste for three years after Port Adelaide Salvage transported asbestos that was not appropriately wrapped or sealed, putting the public and the environment at risk.

The matter will be heard in the Environment, Resources and Development Court on May 18.