Polluter cops a triple whammy! Fined $330,000

A car wrecker copped more than he bargained for when he decided to appeal against three fines totalling $22,000 issued by the City of Canterbury Bankstown.

ASA Group Pty Ltd, of Greenacre was issued with three infringement notices for contaminating stormwater drains and operating without development consent.

But the magistrate wasn’t entertaining the appeal, instead ramming him with a whopping new bill, increasing the amount to the maximum allowable of $110,000 for each offence.

“That’s $330,000! That will certainly put a huge dent in their operation and will act as a warning to others,” Mayor Khal Asfour said.

“The magistrate sent a very clear message that polluting our waterways is not acceptable. Every business in our area has a responsibility and it’s up to them to ensure they are meeting their environmental obligations at all times.”

Mayor Asfour said Council investigators had teamed up with NSW Police, NSW Fair Trading and RMS in 2019, to undergo audits of businesses in a Greenacre industrial estate.

“While conducting these audits, this particular premises was found to be operating without development approval,” Mayor Asfour said.

“Further to that, the business was caught red-handed polluting the stormwater drains with oil.

“Our investigators did a number of follow-up inspections and issued three penalty infringement notices totalling $22,000.

“We have a zero tolerance for people like this, who brazenly operate sloppy businesses. It’s dangerous, it’s hazardous and impacts the environment as well as the community.

“This is a big win and a testimony for Council’s dedication and commitment to the community.”

But the pain may not yet be over for the ASA Group Pty Ltd, as they now face court over a further two infringement notices for a different site at Regents Park.

Those matters are listed to be heard before Bankstown Court on 1 June.