A Port Stephens LGA-based licenced asbestos removal business is out of pocket to the tune of $100,000 after being found guilty of illegal dumping.
The hefty penalty is the result of a lengthy investigation, which began in 2021 and included court action.
It’s understood the company unloaded contaminated waste in local bushland at Oyster Cove.
Port Stephens Council’s compliance coordinator Marc Goodall applauded the decision, which was handed down in the Raymond Terrace Local Court this week.
“The verdict supports our strong stance against illegal dumping, where offenders will be penalised if they put the community and environment at risk,” he said.
“This proves how seriously we treat this type of crime.
“We’ll take action on even the smallest reports from our community.
“This investigation started when a vigilant resident reported the pile of waste they’d noticed in bushland at Oyster Cove.
“Over the past two years our rangers have worked tirelessly to investigate the alleged transportation and depositing of this construction and hazardous asbestos waste at four separate locations in the area.”
The dumped waste, from the demolition of a residential building, included a significant amount of timber, bricks, concrete, metals, tiles and asbestos.
“The actions of this business – who chose to dump the waste instead of removing it to an appropriate facility – has put locals and the environment at risk, which is unacceptable,” Mr Goodall said.
Following investigations and a number of Notices and Orders issued under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act, the matter was finalised on Thursday 24 August.
The offender was fined nearly $100,000 and given a Court Order to remove and appropriately dispose of the waste within 14 days.
Council’s investigations are ongoing and non-compliance with the order will carry further enforcement action.
For more information, or to report illegal dumping, visit pscouncil.info/IllegalDumping
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