Dungog Shire Council had a mammoth clean up on its hands this morning after a truck driver accidentally dumped around 12,000 kilograms of concrete onto the town’s streets.
Council says the incident was caused when the driver inadvertently reversed the concrete agitator, unknowingly releasing around 5 cubic metres of concrete along his travel route.
Residents were advised to avoid Hooke Street, Dowling Street and Stroud Hill Road, as council begun physically removing the waste with shovels and brooms before calling in a sweeper to assist.
“The clean-up effort is significant and costly, and will continue throughout the day,” said a Dungog Shire Council spokesperson.
“Council’s regulatory officers are investigating the spill and action is being taken to ensure discharge of pollutants to street drains is minimised.”
It is likely that action will be taken against the concrete company under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act.
