EPA secures Enforceable Undertaking with concrete company following investigation

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has agreed to a $100,000 Enforceable Undertaking (EU) with Reinforced Concrete Pipes Australia (NSW) Pty Ltd (RCPA), following an investigation into unlicensed concrete works at its Somersby facility.

The EPA began investigating RCPA when the company applied for an Environment Protection Licence in December 2022 and discovered it had produced more than 30,000 tonnes of steel-reinforced concrete pipes annually between 2018 and 2022, without a licence.

EPA Executive Director of Operations, Jason Gordon, said the EPA’s findings highlight the risks of operating without proper environmental approvals and the importance of regulatory oversight.

“RCPA produced almost twice the amount of concrete materials permitted without a licence — significantly increasing the potential risk to the local environment,” Mr Gordon said.

“The scale and duration of the unlicensed activity raised serious concerns as RCPA operated for several years without formal monitoring of dust, water pollution or noise.

“Holding the appropriate approvals and licences is critical to ensure operators are accountable for their activities, and controls are in place to protect the environment and local communities.” 

Mr Gordon said the EU payment from RCPA will support local environmental restoration projects, including efforts to monitor and protect platypus populations.

“Protecting the environment on the Central Coast is a top priority for the EPA, and it’s important that this payment will help support work to map platypus habitats and carry out local population surveys,” Mr Gordon said.

“The agreed payment will also help upgrade a community nursery in Ourimbah, improve facilities for volunteers and expand the nursery’s ability to grow native plants for important bush regeneration.”

RCPA obtained the appropriate licence in July 2023 which includes conditions to monitor dust, water and noise from its operations and to maintain environment controls that reduce environmental risk.

An Enforceable Undertaking (EU) is a legally binding agreement between the EPA and a company or individual who has allegedly breached environmental legislation.