Australia | Construction company fined $200,000 for providing false information to the EPA

February 17, 2025

Australia | A construction company and its director have each been fined $100,000 plus costs in the Parramatta Local Court for providing false information to the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) during an illegal dumping investigation in February 2023. 

The EPA launched its prosecution of He Co Pty Ltd (formerly known as Hemisphere Construction Pty Ltd), and its director George Khouzame in 2023 during an ongoing investigation into the alleged illegal dumping of asbestos-contaminated waste at a property in Canyonleigh in the Southern Highlands.

Director Operations, Adam Gilligan said that when EPA officers discovered asbestos in the waste material, statutory notices were issued to several companies, requesting information and records on how the material came to be on the property: “This is one of the largest fines ever secured for providing false or misleading information to the EPA and reflects the seriousness of Mr. Khouzame’s actions, which could have hindered a major investigation into serious environmental offences.

“Despite multiple requests for information, Mr. Khouzame consistently refused to truthfully answer questions regarding his company’s involvement with the property in Canyonleigh.

“While he maintained that information provided to the EPA was accurate and his company was not associated with works undertaken at the property, evidence gathered by our officers, including reports from neighbours and other contractors, indicated Mr. Khouzame’s assertions were false.

“An EPA request for information is a statutory notice, enforceable under the Protection of the Environment Operations (POEO) Act. Anyone receiving such a request must provide an honest and factual response and if they don’t, we have the powers to prosecute.”

In addition to the $200,000 fine, He Co Pty Ltd and Mr. Khouzame were ordered to pay EPA’s costs of $25,000. He Co Pty Ltd was also ordered to comply with the original statutory notice and a publication order.

 


— Accurate at time of publication | February 2025

Sign-up to the Barbour Monthly Newsletter

Get the latest Health, Safety and Environmental news and information – sign up for updates from Barbour EHS. Computer monitor What you’ll get:
  • Free downloads including Directors’ Briefings, legislation updates, webinars, risk assessments and more
  • VIP invites to events
  • Important industry news and updates
  • Invitations to hot topic webinars hosted by Barbour
  • Industry partner information
[ssba-buttons]

You May Also Be Interested In

Comments are closed.

✉ Sign up to the Barbour Newsletter

Free downloads, advance notice of webinars, product updates and perks – all straight to your inbox.

  • Barbour EHS may from time to time send updates about Barbour products and services. By providing your contact information you consent to being contacted for direct marketing purposes by Barbour EHS. Please ensure you review our Privacy Policy.