Failure to stop dirt and sediment from allegedly being tracked from an industrial site out onto Western Sydney roadways has resulted in Dial-a-Dump (EC) Pty Ltd receiving $30,000 in fines from the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
EPA officers observed sediment tracking from the Dial-a-Dump Eastern Creek waste processing facility in June and August while investigating alleged odour issues from the landfill.
“All businesses and construction sites must make sure dirt, dust or sediment does not leave their worksite, to prevent damage to the surrounding environment or being washed into creeks or rivers, where it can harm plants, fish, wildlife and water quality,” EPA Executive Director Regulatory Operations Steve Beaman said.
“The sediment was visible on the public road and gutters allegedly coming from this operation.
“Our officers saw sediment on nearby roads, including Kangaroo Avenue, Honeycomb Drive and Wonderland Drive on several occasions, that had come from vehicles leaving the Dial-a-Dump site.”
The EPA previously instructed Dial-a-Dump to ensure no sediment left the Eastern Creek site.
“We’ve raised this issue with Dial-a-Dump on several occasions – no material, including sediment or oil, should be transferred off the property on the wheels of vehicles as they leave,” Mr Beaman said.
“These two $15,000 fines and an official caution follow EPA inspections on 21 June 2021 and 17 August 2021 that found sediment was still present on the nearby public roadways.”
Sediment can block stormwater drains, leading to flooding, and can make roads slippery and dangerous. Sediment on roads can result in dust impacts on the community if it becomes airborne.
“We expect all licensees to do the right thing and obey the conditions set out in their environment protection licence to keep the environment and the community safe,” Mr Beaman said.
The $15,000 penalty is the maximum fine the EPA can issue under its legislation.
Penalty notices are one of several tools the EPA can use to achieve environmental compliance, including formal warnings, licence conditions, notices and directions, mandatory audits, legally binding pollution reduction programs, enforceable undertakings and prosecutions.
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