Construction company slapped with hefty fines after dumping asbestos

A construction company has been fined after providing false information to authorities about dumping asbestos at a property.

A NSW construction company has been slapped with a hefty fine after lying to authorities about dumping asbestos-contaminated waste.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) launched an investigation in February 2023 after officers discovered asbestos in the waste material at a property in Canyonleigh in the Southern Highlands.

The EPA issued statutory notices to several companies requesting information and records about how the asbestos came to be at the property.

A NSW construction company has been fined $200,00 for dumping asbestos. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

It then launched its prosecution of He Co Pty Ltd, formerly Hemisphere Construction Pty Ltd, and its director George Khouzame, accusing Mr Khouzame of providing false information about the dumping of asbestos.

“Despite multiple requests for information, Mr Khouzame consistently refused to truthfully answer questions regarding his company’s involvement with the property in Canyonleigh,” EPA Director Operations, Adam Gilligan said.

“While he maintained that information provided to the EPA was accurate and his company was not associated with works undertaken at the property, evidence gathered by our officers, including reports from neighbours and other contractors, indicated Mr Khouzame’s assertions were false.

“An EPA request for information is a statutory notice, enforceable under the Protection of the Environment Operations (POEO) Act.

“Anyone receiving such a request must provide an honest and factual response and if they don’t, we have the powers to prosecute,” Mr Gilligan said.

The EPA launched an investigation into the dumping of asbestos at the Canyonleigh property. PICTURE: Newswire / Nicki Connolly

The construction company and Mr Khouzame were each slapped with $100,000 fines in the Parramatta Local Court.

They were also ordered to pay a further $25,000 to the EPA and ordered to comply with the original statutory notice and a publication order.

“This is one of the largest fines ever secured for providing false or misleading information to the EPA and reflects the seriousness of Mr Khouzame’s actions, which could have hindered a major investigation into serious environmental offences,” Mr Gilligan said.

In 2023, Hemisphere Constructions Pty Ltd had its license revoked after a building partially collapsed only two months after its completion. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

In 2023, Hemisphere Constructions Pty Ltd had its building license cancelled by NSW Fair Trading after a house partially collapsed in 2023, only two months after being completed.

“We have been in contact with the homeowner and family to understand how we can support them during this difficult time, including offering temporary accommodation, hire car, storage facilities, removalist and many more for the family affected,” the company said at the time, per news.com.au.

“We have followed all necessary safety protocols and have taken all precautions to ensure the safety of our workers, tenants, and owners of all our properties.”

The company entered voluntary administration in July 2023.

Originally published as Construction company slapped with hefty fines after dumping asbestos