A North Coast skip bin operator has been ordered to remove more than 320 tonnes of illegally dumped waste, including asbestos, from a rural property near Grafton after an investigation by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

The EPA, supported by NSW Police, executed a search warrant at the property in May as part of an investigation into alleged land pollution.

Using drone surveillance, waste sampling and laboratory analysis, investigators found contaminated waste had been dumped on the property since 2022.

The EPA has now issued a Clean-up Notice requiring the landowner to remove more than 320 tonnes of waste and have it lawfully disposed of by 2 November 2026.

An EPA spokesperson said businesses paid to collect waste had a responsibility to ensure it was taken to licensed disposal facilities.

“Some of the waste collected through this skip bin operation was instead stockpiled on the owner’s property, including asbestos, furniture, synthetic turf, gyprock, scrap metal, timber and material contaminated with elevated levels of lead,” the spokesperson said.

“This behaviour shows a complete disregard for the environment and the Clarence Valley community.

“The land is on a tributary of the Clarence River, which is used for agriculture, swimming and fishing. It’s an area of high ecological value and dumping waste so close to a sensitive waterway is unacceptable. Waste doesn’t always stay where it’s dumped.

“People hire skip bin companies expecting their waste will be taken to the right place – not discarded on private land to avoid disposal costs.”

The EPA said it would continue monitoring compliance with the Clean-up Notice while its investigation remains ongoing.  It has not named the company involved.

The authority is encouraging members of the public who witness suspected illegal dumping to report it through the EPA’s Environment Line or the RIDonline reporting service.

Photo: An aerial view of the rural property near Grafton alleged to have become an illegal dump. (Image: NSW EPA)