Eurobodalla Shire Council has been caught up in the EPA’s investigation into an environmental consultant. Photo: Eurobodalla Shire Council.
An environmental consultant under investigation by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) for alleged fraud did provide reports for a council on the NSW Far South Coast, but the EPA says there is no immediate risk to the public.
On Friday (26 July), the EPA announced it was investigating environmental consultant Noel Child of N G Child & Associates over allegations of falsified sampling results in a number of environmental reports across NSW.
“The EPA understands that part of Mr Child’s role was to test potential development sites and then make environmental assessments for clients as part of development applications to local councils,” an EPA spokesperson said.
The EPA said councils with properties subject to alleged falsified reports had been notified. This list includes Eurobodalla Shire Council.
In response to questions from Region, a council spokesperson said the EPA had told them about the investigation on Friday.
“Council has been informed there are two sites and associated reports relating to development applications lodged in Eurobodalla,” the council spokesperson said.
“The EPA has asked council to review records associated with these sites and associated development applications, and to satisfy itself of the likelihood of contamination risks.
“Council will review documentation around the development applications and discuss its findings with the EPA.”
The council spokesperson also said the EPA was “very clear” that no immediate risk to public health and safety was identified from its preliminary investigation.
“The sites identified in Eurobodalla are not childcare centres,” they said.
So far, the EPA has seized more than 10,000 pieces of data and reviewed 2460 files as part of its investigation.
It identified 135 sites that are the subject of alleged falsified reports, including 24 early childhood education and care services, 18 residential properties, eight industrial/commercial sites, one school and 84 sites that are yet to be developed.
The councils caught up in the investigation are mostly from the Sydney region.
“Following a review of all available data, the EPA confirms that there are no immediate risks to public health and safety,” the EPA spokesperson said.
“The analysis revealed no history of contamination or exposure pathways that could affect people’s health.”
The spokesperson said anyone who had engaged N G Child & Associates to undertake environmental assessments as part of a development application should contact the EPA or their relevant local council for advice.
For more information and for updates, visit the NSW EPA website.
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