EPA cracking down on statutory notices
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is warning companies they must respond to statutory notices requiring information to be provided to assist with investigations or face substantial fines or penalties
The warning comes after the EPA fined two transport companies a total of $7500 - Tat 1 Transport Pty Ltd and KNC Haulage Pty Ltd for failing to respond to several statutory notices, requesting information and records in relation to an alleged illegal dumping investigation in Western Sydney.
Tat 1 Transport received three penalty notices totalling $4500, and KNC Haulage, two penalty notices totalling $3000. Each fine was for failing to comply with a statutory notice issued by the EPA.
EPA Director Major Compliance and Investigations Greg Sheehy said failing to comply or respond to such notices affected the EPA’s ability to progress investigations and impeded its regulatory responses.
“These fines are the result of an EPA investigation which involved the tracking of vehicles suspected of being involved in alleged illegal dumping of waste,” Mr Sheehy said.
“To help protect the community and the environment, waste must be legally disposed of and this means pursuing companies or individuals who do the wrong thing.
“When requested, companies must respond to notices from the EPA requesting information which relates to our regulatory work, including investigations.”
The fines handed to Tat 1 Transport and KNC Haulage relate to five separate statutory notices issued by the EPA in May and June 2020.
For more information about the EPA’s regulatory tools, see the EPA Compliance Policy at www.epa.nsw.gov.au/legislation/prosguid.htm