An asbestos removal and demolition company and its director have been sentenced for the illegal operations of their waste facility in Eagleby, after previously pleading guilty to similar offences late last year in one of Queensland's worst-ever illegal asbestos waste matters.
The sentences were handed down on 14 April 2025, by the Beenleigh Magistrates Court. Asbestos Demolition Specialists was sentenced for the following offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1994:
- two offences for carrying out an environmentally relevant activity without an environmental authority; and
- one offence for wilfully contravening an environmental protection order.
The company was ordered to pay a fine of $150,000.
The company's director, Mr Anthony Palmer, pleaded guilty to the following offences under the same act:
- three executive officer offences for failing to ensure the company complied with the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act 1994;
- two offences for carrying out environmentally relevant activities without an environmental authority; and
- two offences for knowingly making false statements to the Department.
Mr Palmer was sentenced to six months imprisonment wholly suspended for three years and ordered to pay a further fine of $30,000.
The offences occurred between 6 October 2022 and 12 April 2024 and are largely a continuation of the previous offending related to receiving, storing, and disposing of waste illegally after an extensive investigation by the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation. While these offences are serious, they did not involve asbestos waste.
In October 2024, Asbestos Demolition Specialists was fined $400,000, and the company's director copped a $100,000 fine after pleading guilty to multiple offences relating to the illegal operation of a waste facility in Eagleby.
These previous offences occurred between 29 May 2019 and 7 October 2022.
"Our role as Queensland's environmental regulator means taking strong enforcement action against operators found to be noncompliant with their environmental obligations.
"Unlicensed operations have the potential to undermine and undercut licenced operators who have obtained the correct authorities to operate.
"An Environmental Authority, issued by the department, provides businesses with conditions they must comply with to manage environmental risks associated with their operations.
"The repeated nature of these offences, and the lack of action from the company and Mr Palmer is extremely disappointing.
"Thanks to the hard work of our compliance officers and investigators, who were critical in holding this company and its director accountable for their actions."
Brad Wirth, Executive Director, Industry Development and South East Compliance, DETSI
