Company fined for dumping asbestos

By 3 News Online staff

A demolition and digger hire company has been fined over $67,000 for illegally dumping asbestos-contaminated waste and fill material in Otumoetai last year.

In 2013 the Tauranga City Council and Bay of Plenty regional council both received complaints about material containing asbestos being taken from a church demolition site.

The company, 'C' Side Services owned by Stephen Craig Walling, admitted to dumping 15 truckloads of demolition waste in the area.

Samples dug up at the site, also owned by C Side Services, tested positive for white, brown and blue asbestos.

When approached about the waste Mr Walling stated he was only dumping clean-fill, dirt and concrete to form a driveway.

The dumping area borders a city council reserve which contained a range of important native plants.

The company had cleared a total of 372 square metres of land that is now listed as contaminated by both councils.

The company was charged with a number of offences including disposing of demolition waste containing asbestos, clearing native vegetation in a special ecological area and illegal filling between August 2010 and April last year.

As well as paying the fine the company is also required to re-plant the area and repair the contaminated land.

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Company fined for dumping asbestos