LAWYERS for Mount Cotton’s Karreman Quarries Group have strongly denied allegations the company illegally dumped chemicals and waste oil at its West Mount Cotton Road site.
The environment department is investigating the company for contraventions of the Environmental Protection Act 1994.
A February 4 letter from the Department said the offence “caused serious environmental harm” and “material environmental harm”.
The allegation, which dates back to an incident in 2011, relates to the release of “contaminants on site and to waters” when water contaminated a storage tank of oil for recycling.
Businessman Dick Karreman said the allegations were unfounded and fuelled by disgruntled ex-employees, who had a long-running vendetta against the company dating back to 2011.
He said the incident referred to water not oil but was unable to comment further until after the Environment, Heritage and Protection Department finished its investigation.
Like most large companies using heavy machinery and equipment, Karreman puts its waste oil into an 8000litre underground tank, awaiting free collection from an oil recycling company.
“It’s perfectly normal to have to control your oil but, more to the point, why would we dump it if it is collected and taken away for free by someone who uses it?” Mr Karreman said.
Investigator Matthew Barr was yet to contact the company.
