The Environment Protection Authority has taken decisive action against a private waste facility near Dapto after discovering hazardous chemicals leaking into local waterways. The Huntley Tip at Avondale has been served with a prevention notice requiring immediate measures to stop PFAS and ammonia pollution entering Mullet Creek, which flows into Lake Illawarra.
Chemical contamination confirmed in water testing
EPA testing conducted on September 16 revealed alarming levels of contamination in the creek system flowing from the waste facility. Ammonia concentrations measured 43 milligrams per litre just 60 metres outside the premises, dramatically exceeding Australian freshwater guidelines of 900 micrograms per litre. Further downstream in Mullet Creek, ammonia levels remained dangerously high at 26 milligrams per litre.
Perhaps more concerning was the detection of PFAS chemicals - known as "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in the environment. The EPA confirmed these substances were absent upstream of the tip but present in Heritage Creek both inside and outside the facility boundaries, including where it joins Mullet Creek.
"The licensee has been, and is, causing water pollution, as elevated levels of ammonia and PFAS are being discharged from the premises into receiving waters which is likely to impact on the receiving waters," the EPA stated in its formal notice.
Operator under scrutiny for environmental compliance
The tip is operated by Gerringong Property Holdings Pty Ltd (GPH), owned and directed solely by Wollongong woman Gopika Muvva. The company faces mounting environmental concerns, having received similar directives from the EPA back in 2021 to prevent ammonia pollution from the site.
Adding to the complexity, GPH holds a half-share in a proposed eco-tourism resort located just a few hundred metres from the contaminated tip site. The development proposal was recently accepted for assessment as State Significant Development by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.
The company's environmental track record shows previous compliance issues, including a $15,000 fine last year for failing to properly cover waste landfill, creating pollution risks. More recently, in September, GPH had its tip operating licence temporarily suspended by the EPA for non-payment of licence fees.
Conflicting accounts of pollution sources
Consultant Dr Mark Jackson, representing GPH through JEP Environment & Planning, acknowledged the ongoing issues but suggested alternative sources for the contamination. "The site is working with EPA to monitor for PFAS, to help confirm the sources in the local area," he stated.
Dr Jackson pointed to surrounding rural properties along Mullet Creek as potential contributors to the pollutant levels. He emphasised that the site maintains "a comprehensive surface and groundwater monitoring program" and is "strictly regulated by the EPA."
The consultant noted that remediation works were completed in August 2022 to treat runoff and reduce ammonia levels, with ongoing investigations to enhance water management at the premises.
The EPA has given GPH until December 15 to implement "all practicable preventative measures" to stop the pollution and report on potential discharge points for leachate. The authority determined that the company "has not implemented all practicable infrastructure and management procedures to capture and contain leachate and prevent it leaving the premises."
The Huntley area has a complex industrial history, previously hosting the old Huntley coal mine. The eco-resort site was formerly earmarked for a billion-dollar Greg Norman-linked golf course and resort before the backing companies entered liquidation in 2020.
