Author: James Anderson, FRSA, CMgr MCMI

A skip bin hire and waste removal company has been fined $60,000 for illegally dumping asbestos containing waste at a southwest Sydney property and failing to comply with an NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) direction to remove it.Detailed evidence gathered during an EPA investigation found Hy-Gene Skips responsible for depositing over 18 cubic metres of mixed waste at a vacant Gregory Hills residence in May 2025.The Peakhurst-based business then failed to abide by an EPA clean-up notice requiring it to remove and lawfully dispose of the waste, including fragments of asbestos containing materials (ACM), by late June.NSW EPA Executive Director…

Road traffic accidents are, tragically, the leading cause of death for children in the UK. And The Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) estimates that every month 1,200 children are injured in traffic related collisions that happen within 500 metres of a school. These two statistics hit me hard when I first read them. And I can imagine that they hit you just as hard. Parents first told me about their concerns dropping kids off and collecting them again after school, then so did the schools, and then finally so did the children themselves. When I looked at the…

Behold, the power of blue. Easily one of the most versatile shades to decorate with, in the bathroom, this popular really comes into its own. Lending itself to cooling schemes evocative of the sky and ocean, blue sits effortlessly and soothingly in any space where we bathe.Whether you’re drawn to coastal schemes of red and blue, or crave a deep sapphire drench, there are plenty of ways to make blue bathrooms as bold or as subtle as you please. While it does lean cool on the colour spectrum, bathrooms that counter this tonal pull with warm and vibrant shades often…

Blizzard – Flip FabriquePhotos by Emmanuel Burriel FLIP Fabrique’s Blizzard launched its first night at Brighton Dome last night on 27th December. The perfect post-Christmas to come out and see this seasonal theatrical circus show. This is one of those rare shows that left the packed venue dazed with pleasure, glee, hoarse from whooping, and sore from clapping so much throughout this 75-minute epic performance. The venue was packed full of families for the launch of this new transatlantic show event. Playing the Dome over these in-between festive days, this Québec-based contemporary circus company delivers something far richer than seasonal spectacle:…

The publication of a consultation document on the establishment of a single construction regulator grabbed the headlines last week. It had been a key recommendation of the Grenfell Tower phase two inquiry and the government had already, last month, laid a statutory instrument to transfer building safety functions from the Health and Safety Executive into a new arms-length body.  But Wednesday’s release of a prospectus detailing how it plans to deliver the regulator is the strongest step yet towards its establishment. The consultation will run until 20 March next year, with a full government response to be published in summer.…

The GMB union has thrown its weight behind demands for the UK government to back a wave of biomethane plants to keep millions of British homes warm over the coming yearsCows produce a lot of manure…but it could be put to use to power homes (Image: Getty Images)Cow dung could help heat millions of UK homes and support tens of thousands of jobs, it is claimed.Cattle farming – and the greenhouse gas methane that the animals produce – has been blamed for fuelling environmental harm. The creatures also create a lot of something else: manure.But this by-product is now increasingly…

Fire services have issued a warning to anyone with a washing machine or a dishwasher in their kitchen.Christmas is a busy time of year for our kitchens, indeed the entire house, as people stay home and settle in for the festive season.As such, the kitchen is constantly abuzz with cooking food and cleaning, which can mean the dishwasher as well as other white goods like washing machines and tumble dryers are called into action more often than normal.And with so much to do over Christmas, many households will try to save time, or even save money, by setting washing machines…

X Register for free to receive latest news stories direct to your inbox Register A Walsall landscaping firm has secured a multi-million-pound deal and growth capital from environmental services specialist Servtron. Fusion Landscaping and Facilities was founded in 2021 by brothers Simon and James Ward and offers services including grounds maintenance, landscaping, fencing and cleaning. Debrett’s was tasked with finding a partner to support Fusion’s growth, and after a search, Servtron was chosen as the right fit to help Fusion expand and become a nationwide provider of landscaping services for housebuilding and related sectors. The Ward brothers previously sold their…

Brian Sodoma, for Service Experts  |  USA TODAYSummer is around the corner, and that means barbecues, graduation parties, Fourth of July fun and other outdoor gatherings are likely part of your seasonal plans. But before you finalize your summer calendar, you’ll want to make sure your plumbing system is ready for high use.A plumbing emergency while hosting guests is an inconvenience that will certainly dampen your summer groove. So, the team at Service Experts, the nation’s trusted name for plumbing, heating and cooling repairs and maintenance, has shared some important plumbing maintenance tips. Tackle them now to better assure your…

Scaffolding was erected back in June last year as part of safety measures in response to masonry falling from the building. The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) then conducted an intrusive fabric survey of the stonework at Ayr Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Court. The survey revealed issues with the dexterity and integrity of the stone on the building, largely due to its age. As a precaution, the front façade was made safe through the installation of scaffolding and protective netting to prevent further stone from falling. The FOI request has now revealed that the first phase of…