EPA issues $29,000 in fines after asbestos and waste dumped in Mowbray Park
Two men and two businesses have been issued with $29,000 in fines by the NSW Environment Protection Authority after waste, including asbestos waste, was deposited at a private property in Mowbray Park.
Macarthur
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TWO men and two businesses have been issued with $29,000 in fines by the NSW Environment Protection Authority after waste, including asbestos waste, was deposited at a private property in Mowbray Park.
The EPA launched an investigation after dirty fill was deposited at the property on Barkers Lodge Rd.
The property owner was approached by a man who offered to supply clean fill to the property owner as he worked on his driveway.
Wollondilly Council referred the matter to the EPA in September last year after confirming that fill material received at the site contained asbestos.
After investigating the matter, the EPA considered that Christopher Binos and George Kolistasis were responsible for transporting the asbestos contaminated material to the site.
Mr Binos was issued with $16,250 in fines, which included a $7500 fine for failing to comply with EPA directions.
Mr Kolistasis, who is known to operate under the banner Deca Australia, was fined $8250 with Deca Australia Pty Limited and Deca Australia Holdings Pty Limited fined $4500 for failing to comply with notices issued by the EPA.
The EPA will continue to monitor the site and take action to ensure that the site is cleaned up.
EPA acting regional manager of waste compliance Steven James said this incident should serve as a warning to residents that there are unscrupulous operators at work in the clean fill space.
“Unfortunately, there are operators out there who are delivering fill with false promises that it is clean,” Mr James said.
“Residents need to be on the lookout for these operators and take steps to ensure that what they are receiving on their property is clean fill and not waste material.
“Operators acting outside the rules can expect to get caught and can expect action from the EPA when they do.”
More information on steps property owners can take are available at epa.nsw.gov.au/illegaldumping/landfill.htm.
Residents with concerns about the unlawful transport or disposal of waste can report it to the EPA Environment Line on 131 555.
Penalty notices are one of a number of tools the EPA can use to achieve environmental compliance including formal warnings, official cautions, licence conditions, notices and directions and prosecutions.