Fines of $600k in major Queensland asbestos waste scandal

An Eagleby company and its director have been ordered to pay more than $600,000 for illegal asbestos disposal and operating without a license, in one of Queensland’s worst cases.

An Eagleby company and its director have copped one of the state’s harshest penalties for unlawful disposal of asbestos materials. Picture: File

An Eagleby waste facility and its owner have been ordered to pay more than $600,000 for unlawful disposal of asbestos and illegally operating in a Logan suburb.

Eagleby company Asbestos Demolition Specialists was fined $400,000, and the company’s director Anthony Palmer copped a $100,000 fine and a suspended jail term after pleading guilty to a range of offences relating to the illegal operation of the waste facility.

Beenleigh Magistrates Court issued the fines and suspended jail sentence following an extensive investigation by Queensland’s environmental regulator.

The asbestos removal and demolition company pleaded guilty to nine offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 including two offences for carrying out an environmentally relevant activity without an environmental authority.

It also pleaded guilty to five offences for wilfully contravening an environmental protection order, one offence for wilfully and unlawfully depositing a prescribed water contaminant, and one offence for wilfully and unlawfully causing material harm.

In addition to the $400,000 fine, the company was ordered to pay a monetary benefit order of $75,544, representing the licence fees for the activity.

The company and its director were issued with a rehabilitation order to restore the impacted land.

Mr Palmer pleaded guilty to failing to ensure his company complied with the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act.

He was fined $100,000 and sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment wholly suspended for three years.

The Court recorded convictions against both defendants and ordered they pay $12,645 each in legal and investigation costs.

During sentencing, the court found the offending activities were deliberate and extensive, and noted it was one of Queensland’s largest criminal asbestos waste matters.

Queensland’s environmental regulator, the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, began investigating the site in 2020 after officers conducted a series of site inspections and observed large amounts of illegally disposed construction waste, including asbestos.

Due to the site’s location on the banks of the Albert River and other nearby water bodies, and its proximity to residential properties, the site was not licenced to receive any waste including asbestos-contaminated waste.

Asbestos disposal is patrolled by the Department of Environment. Picture: File

In June 2020, DESI issued the company with a Direction Notice which required it to immediately stop receiving and disposing of waste at the site, and to remove any onsite waste.

In July 2021, DESI issued the company with a penalty infringement notice for failing to comply with the Direction Notice, and an EPO.

Mr Palmer and the company repeatedly failed to comply with the department’s statutory notices, and during follow up site inspections throughout 2020, 2021 and 2022, environmental officers continued to observe old and new waste on site including asbestos.

Executive Director, Industry Development and South East Compliance, DESI Brad Wirth said it was the role of the regulator to implement and enforce legislation that protected the environment and safeguards our communities.

“It is vital that operators and individuals comply with the laws and regulations to ensure their activities do not harm our precious environment, and we will take strong action against those who fail to meet these expectations,” he said.

“The repeated and serious nature of these offences, and the lack of action from the company and Mr Palmer is extremely disappointing.

“The outcome from the Court reflects the seriousness of these offences.

“The handling, management and disposal of asbestos waste is strictly regulated by the department to protect the health and safety of our communities, and the environment.

“The Albert River is home to a diverse ecosystem and provides crucial habitat to number of flora and fauna species. Its conservation is essential to the area’s biodiversity, and it is simply unacceptable that Mr Palmer and his company put its health at risk.”

Originally published as Fines of $600k in major Queensland asbestos waste scandal