Central Coast waste facility fined $15,000 for over-height stockpiles

NSW EPA

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has fined EBH Environmental Services Pty Ltd $15,000 for allegedly stockpiling waste to nearly twice the allowed 3 metre height.

An EPA inspection of EBH’s Berkeley Vale facility on 6 September 2019 found a 5.63m high stockpile of soil and unprocessed concrete batch waste on the site’s western boundary.

A second waste stockpile on the northern boundary was found to be 3.55m high.

Neighbours had previously complained about dust from the waste facility.

EPA Director Regulatory Operations Metro North Adam Gilligan said excessive waste stockpiles had the potential to generate dust and impact on air quality.

It is a condition of EBH’s Environment Protection Licence that waste stockpiles must not exceed 3 metres in height.

“The EPA enforces Environment Protection Licence conditions to make sure neighbouring homes and businesses are not adversely impacted,” Mr Gilligan said.

“Environment Protection Licences are in place to protect the environment and licence holders must comply with all conditions.

“This fine is a reminder of the importance of abiding by licence conditions to prevent any potential environmental impacts.”

In addition to the over-height stockpiles, EBH is also alleged to have breached its licence conditions by failing to have stockpile height markers in place.

Fines are just one of the ways the EPA can enforce compliance. The EPA can also use formal warnings, official cautions, licence conditions, notices and directions and prosecutions.

/Public Release.