Illegal Dumping Unit
Illegal dumping has been a significant problem for some time. The Illegal Dumping Unit targets illegal dumping of hazardous waste, controlled waste and commercial quantities of construction and demolition waste. It works closely with others in the EPA to ensure a consistent approach is used for compliance and enforcement, and provides operational support where needed.
In 2013–14, potential illegal dumping sites were targeted using the latest high-tech equipment to monitor illegal dumping activity to send a strong message that illegal dumping will not be tolerated.
During 2013–14, the Illegal Dumping Unit:
- reviewed 115 complaints and enquiries in relation to illegal dumping
- conducted a total of 42 investigations into illegal dumping. Of these, 24 have been finalised, resulting in:
- two formal warnings
- one expiation
- eight requiring no further action
- six being closed due to insufficient evidence
- seven requiring further investigation, which resulted in:
- one prosecution with a $15 000 fine
- one formal warning
- three matters being sent to the Crown Solicitors Office (CSO).
- considered two matters still under investigation
- dealt with six matters carried over from previous years, with the following outcomes:
- one prosecution resulting in a $3 000 fine
- one currently with the CSO for adjudication
- one negotiated civil penalty
- one action to recover costs pending
- one brief to be finalised
- one matter before the ERD Court.
- undertook Operation Playford (October 2013) with six sites identified and inspected for suspected illegal dumping/stockpiling of construction and demolition waste. Three Environment Protection Orders were issued to stop the receipt of waste
- undertook Operations Austrans (May 2014) with the South Australian Police in Wingfield waste precinct, which focused on the transport of waste and uncovered waste loads. Twentyfive transport operators were checked with 13 expiations issued to companies and individuals for uncovered transport of waste and one liquid waste transporter reported for breach of an EPA licence.
EPA targets illegal dumping in the North
A successful prosecution was carried out with an associated fine of $15 000 (plus costs) for illegal disposal of asbestos. This occurred after unlawful activity was detected in the north-eastern suburbs where a local building contractor disposed of a significant quantity of asbestos.
The successful prosecution in the Environment, Resources and Development Court relates to the single charge of unlawfully disposing of waste on 4 June 2013 in breach of section 34(2) of the Environment Protection Act 1993.
A landowner faced a 6-figure clean-up bill, after EPA intelligence was used to target a large-scale unlicensed operation at Buckland Park where 7 500 tonnes of industrial waste was illegally dumped on the property. An environment protection order was issued in August 2013 closing the illegal landfill site.
Seven illegal landfill sites targeted on the Northern Adelaide Plains, resulted in three ‘show cause’ letters, two environment protection orders, and two further investigations.