Anthony Michael Palmer, Broadbeach Waters, facing huge fine for asbestos demolition

A Gold Coast asbestos demolition company is facing a potential $500,000 fine and its director is also facing penalties for alleged unsafe work done in Logan.

Gold Coast businessman Anthony Michael Palmer leaving Beenleigh Magistrates Court

A Gold Coast asbestos demolition company is facing a potential $500,000 fine and a suspended prison sentence for alleged unsafe work done in Logan.

Anthony Michael Palmer, director of Asbestos Demolition Specialists, faced Beenleigh Magistrates Court on July 18.

Mr Palmer was personally charged, along with his company, with nine offences related to alleged unsafe, environmentally-illegal works carried out from May, 2019 to October, 2022.

The two parties were charged with five counts of wilfully contravening an environmental protection order and two counts of carrying out environmentally relevant activity without authority.

They were also charged with unlawfully depositing proscribed water contaminant and wilfully and unlawfully cause material, environmental harm.

Mr Palmer pleaded guilty to all nine charges personally and on behalf of the company.

Department of Environment, Science and Immigration prosecutor Michael Nicholson said

the work carried out was prolonged and extremely serious.

“The prosecution’s submission is in the range of $400,000 to $500,000 and a personal fine of $75,000 for Mr Palmer,” he said.

“We are also seeking a nine to 12-month suspended prison sentence for Mr Palmer.

“There is evidence he dumped asbestos in the Logan river and other lakes.

“This has been a continued breach of environmental regulations over a number of years, despite the DESI and local council engaging with Mr Palmer several times.”

The court heard Palmer dropped almost 1000 cubic metres of asbestos material illegally and irresponsibly in Eagleby from 2019 to 2022.

Broadbeach Waters man Mr Palmer will learn the outcome of the sentence in coming months from Magistrate Tracy Mossop, who reserved her decision.

He was unrepresented. The matter was originally listed for a contested facts sentence but was resolved after discussions between prosecution and the defendant.

Originally published as Anthony Michael Palmer, Broadbeach Waters, facing huge fine for asbestos demolition