A dodgy developer in Newcastle has been ordered to pay more than $1 million to clean-up a site on Lake Road, Elermore Vale that was allegedly used to illegally store hazardous construction waste.
Environment Minister Matt Kean said the development company, Pepperwood Ridge Pty Ltd, admitted that more than 7,000 cubic metres of waste, which included asbestos, was moved to the site over a period of four months.
“Storing this amount of waste without a licence is unacceptable and can pose a health and safety risks to the local community and the local environment,” Mr Kean said.
“Following an investigation by the EPA, the company was issued a clean-up notice and the waste was secured safely to eliminate the risk to the community.
“This should serve as a warning to developers across the State – dispose of your waste the right way and the responsible way or you will cop the consequences.”
The company has entered into an Enforceable Undertaking with the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) requiring it to undertake the clean-up at an estimated cost of more than $1 million and contribute $50,000 towards local environmental and sustainability programs at the Hunter Wetlands Centre.
The company has also agreed to undertake an environmental audit and update all their waste disposal procedures when carrying out property developments and conduct training and education seminars with all staff.
For more information about the EPA’s regulatory tools, see the EPA Compliance Policy http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/legislation/prosguid.htm
