Mr Andrew Lloyd Hughes and earthmoving business ANT CIVIL Pty Ltd have been ordered to pay $335,043 in penalties and costs by the Liverpool Local Court for three land pollution offences in Sydney’s south-west.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) conducted a years-long investigation into Mr Hughes and the company for depositing a combined 2,830 tonnes of asbestos contaminated materials on two rural properties in Thirlmere and Rossmore in 2020.
Mr Hughes’ associates advertised free clean topsoil, shale, clay and sandstone for delivery, but the company had instead knowingly supplied contaminated soil for application to land.
“These were deliberate and egregious crimes, with text messages revealing Mr Hughes directed contractors to ‘tip’ directly into the dam at one of his client’s properties,” a NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) spokesperson said.
“Mr Hughes had promised to deliver clean fill but testing by EPA and council officers confirmed asbestos waste, as well as concrete, bricks, plastic and other debris, was mixed into the soil.
“The pollution was done knowingly and caused a risk of harm to the environment as well as distress to the landowners, who unwittingly accepted the contaminated fill.
“This is a good reminder for landowners to never accept free fill, as criminal operators could be dumping asbestos and other contaminants which can impact the environment and people’s health.
“We’d like to thank officers at Liverpool and Wollondilly councils for alerting us to the pollution incidents, and we look forward to seeing these properties cleaned up and restored.”
Mr Hughes appeared via video link and pled guilty to all three offences. In addition to the fines and legal costs handed down, Judge Shafiq commented on Mr Hughes’ complete disregard for the regulatory system and ordered him to clean up both sites within 30 days.
Three more prosecutions concerning Mr Hughes’ alleged pollution of properties located in Wheeny Creek, Windsor Downs, and Bilpin are currently before the Land and Environment Court of NSW.
