News
21 July, 2026
Asbestos dumpers fined more than $335,000 after contaminating Thirlmere property
A company and its director have been fined more than $335,000 after illegally dumping thousands of tonnes of asbestos-contaminated material on properties at Thirlmere and Rossmore, following a lengthy investigation by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
A company and its director have been fined more than $335,000 after illegally dumping thousands of tonnes of asbestos-contaminated material on properties at Thirlmere and Rossmore, following a lengthy investigation by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
Wollondilly Shire Council has welcomed the outcome, saying it sends a strong message to anyone considering accepting so-called "free clean fill" without checking its source.
The EPA's investigation found earthmoving company ANT Civil Pty Ltd and its director, Andrew Hughes, deposited a combined 2,830 tonnes of contaminated material on the two properties in 2020.
For polluting land at Thirlmere, Mr Hughes was fined $72,000, while ANT Civil Pty Ltd was fined $110,000. The company was also ordered to pay almost $15,000 towards the EPA's investigation costs.
The EPA has acknowledged Wollondilly Shire Council officers for alerting the authority to the pollution incidents, which ultimately led to the successful prosecution.
Wollondilly Mayor Matt Gould said the case highlighted the risks of accepting fill from unknown sources.
"This is an important reminder for everyone to never accept supposed free 'clean' fill, as criminal operators can easily take advantage of residents and cause long-term harm to the environment," Cr Gould said.
"In this case, the offender advertised free clean fill for delivery, but instead the company knowingly supplied contaminated soil which included asbestos waste as well as concrete, bricks, plastic and other debris.
"This was done deliberately and has caused great distress to the property owners, who unwittingly accepted the contaminated fill."
Cr Gould said he was pleased the offender had been held accountable.
"We are pleased to see that the EPA has conducted a thorough investigation and the offender has been held accountable for his actions, having been ordered to clean up the site within 30 days in addition to the fines and legal costs.
"It's great to see this environmental vandal has to remediate the damage he has done."
Three additional prosecutions involving Mr Hughes over alleged pollution of properties are still before the NSW Land and Environment Court.
Property owners are legally responsible for ensuring any fill brought onto their land is lawful, clean and suitable for its intended purpose. Accepting contaminated material can result in costly clean-up works, environmental damage and potential legal consequences.
Wollondilly Shire Council have issued advice that locals should request documentation confirming fill is uncontaminated before accepting delivery. In NSW, this usually takes the form of a Virgin Excavated Natural Material (VENM) or Excavated Natural Material (ENM) certificate, demonstrating the material has been tested and complies with EPA requirements.
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