An enormous hazardous waste dump has been uncovered at a regional NSW property, with experienced remediators estimating the cleanup bill will exceed more than $1 million.
The total amount of waste is estimated to be more than 7000 cubic metres, and was discovered near Newcastle after a four-month surveillance operation.
NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean confirmed the illegal site on Monday.
“Storing this amount of waste without a licence is unacceptable and can pose a health and safety risk to the local community and the local environment,” Mr. Kean said.
The Environment Protection Authority’s investigation has meant a development company was issued with a clean-up notice and secured the waste to prevent risk to the community.
The company has entered into an agreement with the EPA to clean up the site, and will make a $50,000 contribution to a local environmental project as part of that agreement.