Developer hit with $30,000 fine

The developer was issued with $9,000 in fines in 2023 for non-compliant erosion and sediment controls as well as illegal street tree removal, and after failing to appear at Bankstown Local Court this year, the fine was increased by $21,000.
This is not the first time the developer has appeared before the court, in 2023 he was convicted for polluting the stormwater system.
Council investigators were responding to complaints at a building site at Revesby and when they arrived, they found the builder pumping sediment laden water into the stormwater system, and trees on the site had also been illegally removed.
The court was told there was no sediment and erosion controls in place, with excavated material stockpiled at the front of the site and the nature strip and footpath left covered with bricks and other material.
Mayor El-Hayek said the magistrate sent a clear message that cutting corners and polluting our waterways is simply not acceptable.
“Every business in our area has a responsibility to meet their environmental obligations at all times,” he said.
Applauding the work of council investigators who pursued the case, the Mayor said they did a number of follow up inspections, spoke to the builder and issued warnings before penalty infringement notices were issued.
“This should act as a warning to others that we have zero tolerance for any builders doing the wrong thing,” Mayor El-Hayek said.
Residents are encouraged to report any information regarding non-compliance at building sites by calling Council on 9707 9000.