Ex-senior watchdog staffer says NSW asbestos crisis ‘destined to happen’ after decade of regulatory failure

Exclusive: Former compliance officer Jason Scarborough criticises Environment Protection Authority and industry over ‘lost opportunity’ to prevent contamination

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A former senior NSW environment watchdog officer says the state’s widening asbestos contamination crisis was “destined to happen” after the regulator failed to act on problems in the waste recovery sector uncovered more than a decade ago.

Jason Scarborough was a senior waste compliance officer at the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) from 2009 t0 2018. He now runs his own consultancy providing advice on regulatory matters.

“Both the regulator and industry were fully aware of these issues” in waste recovery for more than 10 years

The EPA abandoned much-needed reforms in 2022 for one type of recycled soil product without explanation other than saying “we’ve heard what industry had to say”

The regulator must now focus on “protecting the community’s health” over “saving a dollar”.