Stockpiled waste costs Goulburn facility operator
A man has been convicted and fined $55,500 for failing to remove stockpiled waste at a storage facility in Goulburn after his licence was revoked by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
The Land and Environment Court of NSW convicted Mr Christopher Eveston for two offences after he failed to comply with a notice revoking his EPA licence, which required the waste to be removed by September 2019.
Approximately 6,860m3 of waste was stockpiled at the facility at the time of the offences, which is the equivalent of approximately 340 eight-tonne trucks. The waste comprised of a mix of building and demolition waste, tyres, and miscellaneous objects including furniture, appliances, toys and plastics.
The Court found there was potential environmental harm caused by the generation of leachate from the waste and found that Mr Eveston should have taken measures to reduce risk, including covering the stockpile to reduce the generation of leachate caused by rain.
NSW EPA Executive Director of Regulatory Operations, Carmen Dwyer said the EPA requires NSW licence holders to operate to the required standards.
“Leachate generated from stockpiled waste can degrade local ecosystems, contaminate waterways and risk the community’s health,” Ms Dwyer said.
“Over the last few years, we know many in the Goulburn community have been concerned about the risks this site presents to the local environment.
“I want to thank the Goulburn community for their assistance, our officers will continue to monitor the site until we are satisfied the risk is removed.”
Mr Eveston has also been ordered to pay EPA’s investigation and legal costs and also required to publish details of his conviction in the Goulburn Post.
People can report concerns regarding pollution and other environment incidents to the EPA on 131 555.
For more information about the EPA’s regulatory tools, see the EPA Compliance Policy at www.epa.nsw.gov.au/legislation/prosguid.htm