A manhunt for three men accused of dumping materials containing cancer-causing asbestos outside two medical centres has resumed.
The group were captured on CCTV dumping the waste between the two offices on Warrigal Road in Hughesdale, in Melbourne’s southeast, on July 8 2023.
The truck had no number plates and was carrying the toxic materials in tightly wrapped plastic.
The vehicle’s occupants appeared to check to see they were alone, before getting out of the truck and standing in the driveway.
The truck was positioned between the two medical clinics before its tray was tipped back to dispose of the toxic waste.
An Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) spokesperson told Daily Mail they were appealing to the community for help in identifying the culprits.
‘We’ve been investigating this for a while and we’re trying to get some more information,’ the spokesperson said.
‘It’s been hard to come by the evidence that we need. It looks pretty targeted.’
Two of the men wore hoodies and have proved difficult to identify.
The other man appeared to be in his 40s or 50s and was balding.
Dr Billy Stoupas, a GP who practices at one of the medical centres, told A Current Affair at the time that 60 patients’ appointments had to be cancelled because it was too risky to be anywhere near the clinics due to the asbestos exposure.
‘There’s three blokes that get out of the car, prepare it and then just dump a whole bunch of stuff in the middle of the driveway,’ Dr Stoupas said.
‘Little did we know at the time it was a truckload of asbestos.’
The local council were powerless to help because the rubbish was left on private property, so it cost the owners $2,500 to have the asbestos taken away.
EPA Victoria CEO Lee Miezis said he was determined to identify the three men.
‘It’s shocking, is the way I’d describe it, and we will throw all our resources into catching these people,’ he said.
The EPA said the men avoided $2,000 in costs by illegally ditching the waste.
The fines for dumping asbestos are up to $800,000 for an individual and $4million for a company.
‘It’s shocking, is the way I’d describe it, and we will throw all our resources into catching these people,’ he said.
‘It is expensive but I think those costs are absorbed by prices and margins built in by builders and removalists,’ Dr Stoupas said.
‘When you’re dealing with a product that’s so harmful and risky from a medical point of view, it should be done correctly.’
If anyone has information about the illegal dumping they can call the EPA’s 24 hour hotline on 1300 372 842.