Asbestos dumping crisis: Dodgy operators leave deadly material for clean-up crews
SYDNEY’S building boom has spawned a spreading asbestos crisis turning streets and vacant blocks into dangerous dumps. One vile operator even left the deadly material next to a childcare centre.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
SYDNEY’S building boom has spawned a spreading asbestos crisis that is turning suburban streets and vacant blocks into dangerous dumps, sparking calls for massive fines to wipe out illegal operators.
Fed-up local mayors are demanding more action from the state government, saying the standard fines of $4000 for individuals and $8000 for companies for unlawful dumping of asbestos are “laughably low”.
Experts say part of the problem is expensive tip fees which — at $187 a tonne for building material with asbestos — encourages rogue dumpers to risk it.
In recent weeks asbestos loads have been left in residential streets at Clemton Park, Chester Hill and Wentworth Point.
The spate of dumping has infuriated councils, which are calling for greater powers to pursue and publicly shame perpetrators.
Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali says the new housing estates being built in Sydney’s west were being hit hard, with shonky builders simply dumping waste on nearby vacant land after carrying out work — with one particularly vile low life leaving the deadly material next door to a childcare centre.
“Unscrupulous operators are gaming the system,” he said. “The fines are paltry and not a big enough deterrent. It’s the cost of doing business to them.
“But it is costing us millions in trying to fix it, which is passed on to ratepayers. Why should ratepayers pay for cleaning it all up, and all the court costs?”
At one Riverstone premises, 12,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste was left.
Mr Bali said asbestos dumpers needed to be publicly shamed and councils given powers to remove toxic dumps from vacant private land as the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) was often slow to act and “did not have enough staff”.
PAIR FINED OVER ILLEGAL DUMPING
A group of eight Sydney councils from Sutherland to Waverley have joined with the EPA to set up a special regional illegal dumping squad or “RID squad”.
Daryl Atkins leads the team of 10 investigators hunting down dumpers, gathering intelligence and patrolling known hot spots.
He says rogue dumpers were “getting more brazen” and although traditionally they had looked for quiet bushland, some were now doing it in broad daylight in residential streets.
“Sydney is being rebuilt and some of these companies, through expediency or irresponsibility, just couldn’t be bothered disposing of it in the correct manner,” he said.
“It’s on the increase.”
A recent illegal waste dump this week at Menai, done in the dead of night outside a business premises, was typical, he said.
Upper House MLC Paul Green, who is chairing an inquiry into waste, said high tip fees inflated by “environmental levies” were deterring proper disposal.
“It’s becoming unaffordable,” Mr Green said.
“It’s just that little bit more tempting for people who are struggling to dump it in nearby bushland.”