Public warnings

The EPA publishes public warnings on individuals, businesses, activities, substances and complaints of environmental concern, and other matters relevant to environment protection, when the EPA is satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so.

Public warnings are used to help warn and protect the public.

The EPA’s power to issue public warnings is set out in section 319B of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act).

If satisfied it is in the public interest, the EPA may make or issue a public statement that identifies and gives warnings or information about any of the following:

  • substances or activities the EPA reasonably suspects of contributing to a pollution incident
  • an activity the EPA reasonably suspects is being carried out in an environmentally unsatisfactory way
  • an activity, person, substance or matter that is of environmental concern in the EPA’s opinion
  • regulatory action taken against a person (including a corporation) and any related body corporates
  • complaints received by the EPA under environment protection legislation
  • anything relevant to the administration of the POEO Act, the regulations, and protecting the environment.

The statement may:

  • identify a particular individual or corporation, including any known aliases of the individual or corporation
  • identify a particular business practice, service, material or product, including waste
  • identify a specific substance, including the brand of the substance
  • specify information about a substance or activity
  • specify particular locations or premises
  • refer to methods of promoting a substance or ways of operating
  • specify regulatory action or previous regulatory action taken against a specific person or a person involved in the management of a corporation or business
  • specify the nature of the complaints the EPA has received.

Current public warnings

Carbon MF Pty Ltd

Sams Maintenance and Pest Control Pty Ltd

The public is warned to exercise significant caution in dealing with Carbon MF Pty Ltd (ACN 644 164 394) and its director Mark Fair, including businesses Carbon Lock and Tyre Tart

21 December 2024

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) warns the public to exercise significant caution dealing with waste tyre disposal company Carbon MF Pty Ltd and its sole director, Mark Fair.

On 9 November 2023, the Land and Environment Court convicted and fined Carbon MF Pty Ltd and its director, Mark Fair, a total of $582,375 (Environment Protection Authority v Carbon MF Pty Ltd; Environment Protection Authority v Fair [2023] NSWLEC 120). The convictions were for a land pollution offence and a continuing failure to comply with a clean-up notice to remove tyres stored at a premises leased by the company. See this public media release for more information about the case.

The EPA has received information that Mark Fair has provided false information to consumers and businesses in the Albury-Wodonga area about the recent convictions. The EPA is investigating further allegations that Mark Fair is still engaging in activities of environmental concern that may breach environment protection legislation.

The EPA understands that Mark Fair is operating, or communicating with consumers and businesses, using his name as well as various business names or aliases, including those currently known to the EPA:

  • Carbon MF Pty Ltd
  • Carbon Lock
  • Tyre Tart.

The EPA warns consumers and businesses to engage Mark Fair’s services at their own risk, especially in relation to the transport and disposal of tyres.

Please contact the EPA at info@epa.nsw.gov.au to provide information or make a report about any matters of environmental concern that you are aware of regarding Mark Fair or the above business names.

The public is warned not to deal with Sams Maintenance and Pest Control Pty Ltd (ACN 647 445 154) or other businesses using phone numbers: (02) 4018 7435, 0488 851 508 and 0481 606 920

21 December 2024

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) warns the public not to deal with Sams Maintenance and Pest Control Pty Ltd (Sams Maintenance and Pest Control) and associated companies or businesses that trade or engage customers with the phone numbers: (02) 4018 7435 and 0488 851 508. The EPA understands that Sams Maintenance and Pest Control also uses the phone number 0481 606 920.

Sams Maintenance and Pest Control is a Queensland-based parent company of several businesses operating in NSW, including ‘pest businesses’, and Mr Narbjeet Singh is the company’s director.

The EPA received a complaint about unlicensed pesticide work that has caused significant permanent damage to a residential home, where payment was sent to an account belonging to Sams Maintenance and Pest Control. The EPA is also aware of several complaints being made to Fair Trading regarding Sams Maintenance and Pest Control and related businesses as well as hundreds of online reviews that allege these businesses engage in a pattern of:

  • fraudulent behaviour by providing a small initial quote over the phone and then showing up and requesting upwards of $1,000 from customers
  • intimidation by the contractors who refuse to leave until payment is made, as well as incomplete or ineffective services and significant property damage.

The EPA understands there are numerous related companies and businesses that trade with the same phone numbers listed above. It is difficult to identify each business and contractor as they keep arising under a new alias. The NSW-based pest businesses currently known to the EPA include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Local Pest Control Maroubra, Preventative Pest Control, Mick’s Pest Control Sydney, MAX Pest Control Sydney, and Bob’s Bee Removal Service
  • Pest Control Homebush, Pest Control Sydney, Pest Control Rosebery, Pest Control Bondi, Pest Control Alexandria, Pest Control Glebe, Pest Control Redfern, Pest Control Pymble, Pest Control Castle Hill, Pest Control Katoomba, and Pest Control Erskineville
  • Humane Possum Removal Sydney, Possum Removal Darlinghurst, Rodent Control Glenmore Park and Possum Removal Newcastle.

The EPA also understands that other non-pest related businesses are operating using the same phone numbers, such as Strip and Seal Sydney.

The EPA reminds consumers to exercise caution when engaging contractors who claim to be licensed to use pesticides if you have not seen and checked their licence. The EPA recommends that consumers:

  • Always check for a current pesticides licence via the online register and never hand over money without first meeting your tradesperson.
  • Conduct due diligence before engaging a pesticides or pest company or business to deliver services. Do a general search online on the company/business to make sure it is a legitimate business and whether there are significant public complaints.
  • Consider whether you should have another person with you when inviting a contractor to your home, in particular if you are a vulnerable person.
  • Read the EPA’s guidance on engaging a pest technician.

Please contact the EPA at info@epa.nsw.gov.au to provide information or make a report about any matters of environmental concern regarding Sams Maintenance and Pest Control or other related businesses using the phone numbers listed above.