{"id":373566,"date":"2025-12-26T19:12:14","date_gmt":"2025-12-26T19:12:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/373566\/"},"modified":"2025-12-26T19:12:14","modified_gmt":"2025-12-26T19:12:14","slug":"aussie-residents-warned-about-free-backyard-offer-after-6000-in-fines-handed-out-youre-responsible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/373566\/","title":{"rendered":"Aussie residents warned about ‘free’ backyard offer after $6,000 in fines handed out: ‘You’re responsible’"},"content":{"rendered":"

As Christmas draws to a close, many Aussies will make the most of the rest of the summer holidays by doing a little home improvement <\/a>and trying their hand at a bit of DIY.<\/p>\n

But residents are being reminded that accepting an offer that seems too good to be true may very well end up costing them. It comes as offers of free soil<\/a> are inundating social media.<\/p>\n

Victoria’s Environmental Protection Agency <\/a>warned property owners they have an obligation to know what soil they are accepting, or they could be liable for its removal.<\/p>\n

This week, the authority issued over $6,000 in fines to contractors advertising free and “clean” soil <\/a>to unwitting homeowners, despite the soil containing both asbestos and chemical contaminants.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you accept soil that has not been independently tested, you risk being held responsible if it turns out to be contaminated,\u201d EPA Executive Director of Operations Rachel Gualano warned.<\/p>\n

\u201cSoil can be contaminated with heavy metals, hydrocarbons like fuel and oil, industrial chemicals, asbestos and other waste which can harm plants, animals and human health, as well as contaminate land and groundwater.<\/p>\n

\u201cContaminated soil is costly to treat or dispose of, and unscrupulous operators could be trying to reduce their costs at your expense.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour property might be a cheap option for a dodgy operator, leaving you with the real costs for clean-up if the dodgy dumper disappears.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor transporters, even those sub-contracted, to transport soils, you may pick up from someone saying it is clean, but you\u2019re responsible for ensuring it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

How to dispose of contaminated soil<\/p>\n

Contaminated soil can only be disposed of at a licensed landfill and everyone in the waste chain, including transporters and receivers, have a duty to understand what was in any soil they were handling.<\/p>\n

EPA advises landowners to take the following steps before accepting soil on their site:<\/p>\n

Understand where the soil is coming from. Soil from industrial and commercial sites have a higher risk of contamination.<\/p>\n

Ask for proof that the soil is clean, including laboratory results. If in doubt, avoid it.<\/p>\n

Have a signed contract with the supplier that specifies the volumes and quality to be received.<\/p>\n

Keep soil from different sites separate and keep good documentation to prove what has been placed where.<\/p>\n

Visually check every load for contamination \u2013 reject soil that contains waste of any kind or doesn\u2019t look or smell right.<\/p>\n

The $6,000 in fines included a Mornington contractor fined $4,070 and a Tuerong contractor $2,035.<\/p>\n

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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