Port Adelaide carpark at McLaren Pde becomes dumping ground for construction waste
A Port Adelaide carpark has become a dumping ground for construction waste, including suspected asbestos.
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A Port Adelaide carpark has become a dumping ground for construction waste, including suspected asbestos laying damaged just one block from the Port River.
Residents next to the McLaren Pde site are dumbfounded that the dangerous waste has gone untouched for nearly a week, despite notifying relevant authorities on the weekend.
Alan Bennet, who lives in front of the privately-owned carpark, said he had spoken to the truck driver who dumped a second load of waste at the site on Saturday night.
Mr Bennet claimed the driver said he was using it as a “dumping ground to avoid dumping fees” after a dispute with the property owner.
“I’ve been in the building trade for 56 years and I looked at the old concrete and it’s full of broken bits of asbestos,” he said. “I told him (the driver) and he virtually said ‘I don’t care’.”
Mr Bennet said a third load of waste, which included gyprock and gas bottles, was dumped on Sunday night and he was frustrated at the inaction of Port Adelaide Enfield Council.
“The first two truck loads of concrete definitely had asbestos in it – it’s all smashed up and there’s fibro flying around,” Mr Bennet said.
“There’s not even a sign there saying that there’s asbestos, it should be covered up.
“Nothing is getting done by the council or the EPA, it’s just sitting there and the wind is blowing it straight into the Port River.”
The carpark has been subdivided and being sold by Harcourts Smith sales consultant Steve Moffatt, who said the owner - who isn’t accused of any wrongdoing - was aware of the problem and was working with the council.
The Environment Protection Agency said the waste was reported on the weekend and it had notified the council, which under the act was responsible for managing illegal dumping issues within its boundaries.
A council spokesman said they were investigating the matter and confirmed there was suspected asbestos in the concrete pile which was being tested.
The spokesman said if it was confirmed as asbestos, the council would work with the EPA to put in safety controls around its removal.
Although the waste was dumped on private land, the council can still take enforcement action as it has been dumped without the consent of the property owner.
Port Adelaide Enfield mayor Claire Boan said the council took illegal dumping seriously with more than 3000 reports in the council area each year.
“It is vital that our community joins us in the fight against illegal dumping so please report all incidents to your local council along with as much evidence as you can provide to aid investigations,” Ms Boan said.
The council uses cameras in illegal dumping hotspots to act as a deterrent and gather evidence, with 55 fines for littering issued last year.
Businesses can be fined by the courts up to $250,000 and individuals up to $120,000 for illegal dumping.
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Originally published as Port Adelaide carpark at McLaren Pde becomes dumping ground for construction waste
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