NSW Environment Minister Robyn Parker says the Environment Protection Authority did its job. Picture: SYLVIA LIBER
NSW Environment Minister Robyn Parker has backed the Environment Protection Authority in its handling of soil shipments from Barangaroo to Port Kembla.
The environmental watchdog's procedures were brought into question after asbestos was found in the first shipload last month, and the EPA was forced to revoke developer Lend Lease's licence to ship the material.
It also ordered the 15,000 tonnes already stockpiled at Port Kembla be kept damp and the air monitored.
Responding to questions about the matter in Albion Park yesterday, Ms Parker said the EPA had been "absolutely effective" and praised the organisation for acting quickly.
"What I was really pleased about was there was immediate notification to the EPA, the EPA sprang into action and stopped what was happening straight away and they are putting precautions in place," Ms Parker said.
She said procedures put in place by her government and the EPA had worked effectively to stop further soil shipments.
"The EPA had a licensing process in place and something failed in terms of that - that's what the EPA is investigating and that's why they've stopped it and certainly they will be going back with the company through that process to see what needed to be improved," she said.
"If [soil shipment] starts up again they would need to be absolutely sure that was the best way and safest way to proceed."
An EPA spokeswoman said the watchdog's investigation into the best course of action for the material at Barangaroo and Port Kembla was ongoing.
Ms Parker was visiting the Illawarra yesterday to present a $1000 cheque to help with the regeneration of bushland at Elizabeth Brownlee Reserve in Albion Park.