Hornsby Mayor Philip Ruddock refers Hornsby Council to ICAC over ‘illegal dump’ at Arcadia
IN one of his first acts as Hornsby Mayor, Philip Ruddock has referred his own council to ICAC about an “illegal dumping ground” at Arcadia.
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HORNSBY Mayor Philip Ruddock has launched two independent inquiries and written to ICAC, about an “illegal dumping ground” at Arcadia.
Last month, residents raised concerns about issues with the development at 22 Geelans Rd, after meeting council officers to complain about the “dumping ground” and trucks frequenting the site.
Residents told council officers and Hornsby state Liberal MP Matt Kean they believed an “illegal tip” was operating at the property just metres from their homes and called for Hornsby Council to shut the operation.
This week, the NSW Environmental Protection Authority revealed that waste material dumped at the property was contaminated with asbestos and issued the property’s owners with a “draft clean-up notice”.
A NSW EPA spokesman said it had now taken authority after testing at the site revealed fragments of bonded asbestos.
“The results of the samples taken by the EPA at the site have returned positive results for asbestos,” the spokesman said.
“This material should have been disposed of at a licensed waste facility.
“It appears that Hornsby Council has not monitored the conditions of the consent vigorously and waste material contaminated with asbestos has entered the site which is in contravention of the council consent.”
The EPA spokesman said they received a response to the draft clean-up notice by deadline and “are reviewing the substantial comments in that response and seeking legal advice before issuing a final clean up notice”.
A council spokesman said it had been working with the EPA to monitor the site.
“When concerns were raised, council conducted a visual inspection of the site but there was no visible evidence of illegal dumping,” the spokesman said.
“However, there were still concerns so the EPA took soil samples and tested those.
“Those first tests were inconclusive, demonstrating that the breaches of the consent conditions were not instantly obvious.’’
The spokesman said a second round of tests confirmed there was contaminated material on the site.
“There is understandable frustration at the length of time this has taken but the correct processes need to be followed by both Hornsby Shire Council and the EPA,” he said.
On Tuesday, Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton told 2GB’s Ray Hadley the owners of the property could face fines of more than $1 million and “possible jail time”.
“These are very serious matters and those found responsible should face the full consequences of the law,” Ms Upton said.
“Allegations of inaction and impropriety of council staff are also of concern and should be thoroughly examined.”
Mr Hadley urged Cr Ruddock to take his council to the ICAC, following claims made about the operation.
Cr Ruddock said concerns raised by members of the community and the media, as well as comments by Local Government Minister Gabrielle Upton, lead council to contact the ICAC.
“Council takes allegations of corruption very seriously and for that reason initiated two separate independent inquiries into the approval and compliance processes at the Arcadia site,” Cr Ruddock said.
“Council has informed the chief commissioner of the steps taken and has invited him to undertake any further inquiries that he believes are necessary.
“Although council has not been shown any evidence of corrupt conduct, given the public interest in the matter, I felt that it was appropriate to bring the matter to ICAC’s attention.
“Council will fully co-operate with any investigation ICAC may wish to initiate.
“I once again urge anybody with any evidence of wrongdoing to bring it to me or take it directly to ICAC.”
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