Wollongong Recycling has complied with clean-up notices from the Environment Protection Authority, getting rid of stockpiles of contaminated material it had delivered to home sites at Calderwood, near Albion Park.

But fresh orders are expected soon once the EPA has finished testing the retaining walls and setting deadlines for the next stage of work, which is expected to be more difficult than the earlier clean-up.

For residents who have bought into the estate, it means more delays on registering their blocks – likely well into next year.

Lendlease said property owners will be updated soon.

“Lendlease is currently awaiting advice from the EPA and our contractor about the second and final phase of the clean-up to remove the backfill behind the affected retaining walls,” a company spokeswoman said.

“We will provide an update to our local community, workers and customers as soon as we receive further information.”

The EPA said Wollongong Recycling had supplied asbestos-contaminated aggregate from its Kembla Grange facility.

“The waste covered by [the first] clean-up order was specific to above-ground contamination,” an EPA spokeswoman said.

“Further work is required to deal with other contaminated waste at Calderwood Estate, which is located within retaining walls.

“Because the removal of this waste is more complicated, the EPA decided to issue the first notice so that works could commence on the clean-up.

“Since the first notice was issued, the EPA has continued to look at appropriate and safe requirements for the waste in the retaining walls to be removed.”

“Action on this aspect of the clean-up is currently being finalised, with further notices to be issued soon.”

Bingo, the Sydney waste empire which bought Wollongong Recycling shortly before the contaminated material was supplied to Calderwood, declined to comment other than reiterating the EPA’s notice had been complied with so far.