Today, I came across a piece in InDaily that’s worth your time.
It covers an Adelaide demolition company and its director who were convicted for illegally dumping thousands of tonnes of construction and demolition waste (including asbestos) across sites in Sedan and Houghton.
The Environment, Resources and Development Court found them guilty of 14 offences under the Environment Protection Act, with fines for the company and the director, additional costs, and a commitment to repay $400,000 for cleanup.
The judge called it a “serious example” of offending done knowingly, for commercial gain, and despite past penalties. The EPA said the outcome should deter anyone thinking of skirting the rules, especially when staff safety is threatened.
The article ran on 11 August 2025 and was updated on 12 August 2025.
The core message
Here’s the heart of it: waste isn’t just rubbish to “get rid of.” It’s a public health responsibility.
When businesses treat the landscape like a back paddock, the costs don’t vanish, they shift to communities, councils, and the environment.
The court’s penalties, the stern remarks about repeat offending, and the multi-agency investigation all underline a simple idea: doing the right thing is not optional.
My take
To me, this story isn’t only about one company getting caught. It’s about trust. Most operators in South Australia do the right thing every day, often at real cost.
They pay for licensed disposal, keep records, and train their people. But when someone cuts corners, it undercuts the honest operators and puts everyone at risk, workers, neighbours, and anyone downwind of an “out of sight, out of mind” stockpile.
Asbestos is a perfect example: it’s the definition of a toxic time bomb. Mishandled once, it keeps on giving in all the worst ways.
There’s also a culture question. Compliance isn’t just paperwork, it’s a promise. If your business model only works when rules are ignored, it’s not a business model. It’s shifting your bill onto the rest of us.
And for clients, a cheap quote can become very expensive later, whether that’s a cleanup bill or a health scare.
Practical steps (so we don’t see this movie again)
- If you’re hiring demolition or waste services, check for a current EPA licence on the SA Public Register. It takes a minute and saves a lot of grief.
- Know that penalties for illegal dumping are serious. In SA, individuals can face heavy fines or even prison, and corporations can be hit with multi-million dollar penalties.
- If you see suspicious dumping or pollution, report it. The EPA has a 24/7 line: (08) 8204 2004 or 1800 623 445 for regional callers. Don’t assume someone else will make the call.
Read the full story
If this topic matters to you (and it should) read the original reporting and the court details in InDaily’s piece here. It’s clear, concise, and important.