Announcements

 The Environment Protection Authority is calling on members of the public to come forward with any information that may help locate the person responsible for dumping 900kg of asbestos in a nature strip at the intersection of Kokoda and Goolwa Roads, at Mosquito Hill, South of Adelaide.

The dumping was reported to the EPA on Wednesday by a person walking in the area. The asbestos was wrapped in 30 plastic bags printed with ‘asbestos waste’ and sealed with grey adhesive duct tape, as well as a further five packages wrapped in black plastic sheeting and also sealed with grey adhesive duct tape.

The material is believed to have been dumped during the period Monday 22nd May to Wednesday 24th May, 2017.

EPA Manager Investigations Stephen Barry said the bags were opened under controlled conditions by the EPA and revealed asbestos material which appears to consist of broken up pipework and underground pit walls.

"Given the quantity and type of material, and the method of wrapping, this suggests the involvement of a professional asbestos removalist. We’d ask anyone with information about the dumping to come forward. If someone has had asbestos removed at their home or business recently, and the type of material, amount and timeframe answers the description of the asbestos which was found, please contact us as it may help us locate the offender,’ Mr Barry said.

"Asbestos is a hazardous material and it is very fortunate in this case that the material was sealed and found by a quick-thinking member of the public who called the EPA. Had someone opened or handled the material, they could have been exposed to dangerous fibres," he said.

The EPA can be contacted 24 hours on 8204 2004 or epainfo@epa.sa.gov.au.

Photographs of the dumped asbestos have been posted on the EPA’s website at www.epa.sa.gov.au and Twitter – SA_EPA.

The bags have been removed from the site and retained as evidence by the EPA. The site has been inspected and cleared of any further asbestos material.

People who dump waste illegally could be fined up to $120,000 and face up to 2 years imprisonment. If the dumped waste causes environmental harm the penalty increases to $500,000 & 4 years imprisonment. Corporations face higher fines, of up to $250,000 to $2 million.

People who registered their names in Recovery Centres that were established during the severe weather where most damage was caused in 18 council areas and were issued a ‘Temporary Incident Card’, will be eligible for this offer.

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) will administer the waste levy waiver under this temporary arrangement.

This severe weather generated a significant amount of waste including trees, building materials and metals that will require disposal at waste depots where the levy will be waived.

Organic waste that can be received as green waste will also be exempt from the levy.

Sandbags will be accepted at clean fill rates with no levy when taken to a waste depot for disposal.

This exemption will not apply to the regular gate fee charged by a waste depot.

Any burning of building material or damaged trees is a matter that should be dealt with in consultation with local councils.

More information on environmental burning.

The EPA can also be contacted for general advice on 8204 2004 or1800 623 445 (country callers only).

Since the outbreak of the fire, EPA officers have been in regular attendance at the site, conducting air monitoring as the depot is an EPA licensed site.

The monitoring data showed that at no time did smoke levels pose a risk to public safety and health. Monitoring has since stopped as the smoke has dissipated.

For status updates, contact the MFS at tel: 8204 3600 or 1300 737 637 (country callers only), email enquiry@samfs.sa.gov.au or visit www.mfs.sa.gov.au

If you have health concerns, contact your GP or SA Health for more information (tel: 8226 7100 or public.health@health.sa.gov.au).

“I am delighted to announce that Andrew Wood has accepted the position of Executive Director Operations with the EPA in Adelaide.

“Andrew is currently the Deputy Director of Operations for the England and Wales Environment Agency where he leads the Agency’s National Operational teams and is responsible for 1,800 full-time staff.

“Andrew has worked for the England and Wales Environment Agency for more than 17 years, and prior to that was the Head of Fisheries for the National Rivers Authority in England.

“I am confident that Andrew’s skills and experience, particularly on an international level, will complement the already highly experienced EPA Executive team and add to the considerable work already undertaken in the past 12 months in transforming the EPA into a leading edge regulator.

“I am very much looking forward to working with Andrew.”

Andrew holds a BSc in Zoology and an MSc in Applied Fish Biology, and is widely experienced in delivering change both locally and nationally. He has a proven track record of building high performing teams by inspiring, motivating and developing people.

Andrew shares a passion and enthusiasm for the environment and managing the interface between the environment, communities and industry, with a strong focus on improved customer service and promoting a ‘one team’ culture to create a more flexible, dynamic and fulfilled workforce.

Andrew will commence work at the EPA on Monday 15 April 2013.

Message from Andrew

“I am delighted to be joining the EPA and looking forward to building on the extremely important work the EPA does to protect and improve the environment in South Australia.”

Message from David Jordan, Director of Operations, Environment Agency UK

“I know that Andrew will provide Campbell with immense support in taking forward the EPA’s priorities to safeguard the environment of South Australia. His many friends and colleagues in England will miss him greatly, but he goes to Australia with our very best wishes.”