Dumped asbestos, tyres found in huge Forest Lake waste raid

A massive haul of dumped asbestos, car tyres and other waste has been seized after a State Government raid on a southwest Brisbane industrial site.

DETSI officers and police during the raid.

A massive haul of dumped asbestos, car tyres and other waste has been seized after a tip-off led to a State Government raid on an industrial site in Forest Lake in Brisbane’s southwest.

Investigations are continuing after the joint police and Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) compliance operation last Tuesday.

Officers executed 10 search warrants at the sites, allegedly unearthing illegally dumped hazardous material in plastic bags and containers in outside areas and in locked storage sheds.

The raid came after a tip to the DETSI Pollution Hotline about alleged suspicious activity.

According to police, information indicated that several operators were acting illegally by receiving and handling waste without an environmental authority (EA), including vehicle wrecking and receiving scrap metal and construction waste such as asbestos and end-of-life tyres.

A DETSI officer during the Forest Lakes raid. Picture: DETSI

An EA provides businesses with conditions they must comply with to manage environmental risks associated with their operations.

Potential fines of $16,690 exist for a company found to be breaching the regulations. DETSI also usually orders unlicensed operators to cease or scale back operations.

Police and DETSI officers at the Forest Lakes raid. Picture: DETSI

DETSI officers collecting samples of the allegedly hazardous materials. Picture: DETSI

DETSI executive director Brad Wirth said the operation took a lot of preparation to carry out.

“It is a complex project and the safety of our staff and those operating at the premises is our top priority,’’ he said.

“Improper waste handling can impact the environment through the release of contaminated water, increased fire risk and dust and noise nuisance impacts, which is why these activities must be licensed.

“Let this serve as a warning to waste operators who think they are above the law: it is not worth the risk.

“Enabling illegal activities to occur not only has detrimental environmental impacts, but it is also unfair to operators who are complying with their environmental responsibilities – something we do not take lightly.

“We will continue to take strong compliance action against operators and individuals allegedly engaging in illegal activity.”