Investigation into alleged falsified sampling results

02/08/2024 4pm

• Letters to developers have gone out today, advising them of the issue and recommending they review any reports by Mr Child.
• The EPA is moving away from providing daily updates on this investigation. Future updates will be shared here as necessary.
• We will continue to support councils, auditors and developers with relevant information and assistance.

01/08/2024 4pm

• We are continuing to work with councils to provide support as they investigate the affected 135 sites.
• There are still no immediate risks to public safety and health.

31/07/2024 4pm

• Letters to auditors have gone out today, advising them of the issue and recommending they review any reports by Mr Child.
• There are still no immediate risks to public safety and health.

30/07/2024 4pm

• The EPA is continuing to work with councils to provide assistance and advice as required.

29/07/2024 5pm

• EPA officers have now conducted all 24 site inspections at childcare centres.
• We will continue to work with councils to provide support for the remaining sites.
• These visits have not changed our assessment of risk for these sites.
• No immediate risks to public health and safety have been identified.

28/07/2024 12 noon

No further updates.

27/07/2024 12 noon

There is no further update after Friday 26 July.

26/07/2024 5pm: update

• EPA officers visited 22 out of 24 childcare centres today to conduct site inspections to identify any potential exposure. Staff will visit the two remaining childcare centres on Monday.
• These visits have not changed our assessment of risk for these sites.
• We have also contacted all affected councils and advised them to review all development applications associated with N G Child & Associates.

26/07/2024 10am: Media statement

We are investigating environmental consultant Noel Child of N G Child & Associates, in relation to allegations of falsified sampling results in a number of environmental reports across NSW. 

No immediate risks to public health and safety have been identified.

The EPA understands that part of Mr Child’s role was to test potential development sites and then make environmental assessments for clients as part of development applications to local councils.

We seized more than 10,000 pieces of data and have finished reviewing 2,460 files and are investigating alleged falsified samples.

Following a review of all available data, the EPA confirms that there are no immediate risks to public health and safety. The analysis revealed no history of contamination or exposure pathways that could affect people’s health.

From this review, we have identified 135 different sites that have been the subject of alleged falsified reports. These include:

• 24 early childhood education and care services
• 18 residential properties
• 8 industrial/commercial sites
• 1 school
• 84 sites yet to be developed.

As a priority, the EPA has begun visiting the 24 childcare centres today to discuss the issues with the operators.

We are notifying all councils that may have relied on reports produced by Mr Child in approving development applications, and will continue to provide advice and support as they review their records for these sites.

Anyone who has engaged N G Child & Associates to undertake environmental assessments as part of a development application is encouraged to contact the EPA or their relevant local council for advice.

We will endeavour to update our website daily with information.

A full list of affected sites and councils that the EPA is working with can be found on this webpage.

This incident is not related to the asbestos in mulch investigation. 

Frequently asked questions

As part of our investigation into alleged falsified sampling results in environmental reports, councils with properties subject to alleged falsified reports have been notified and we will continue to provide them advice and ongoing support.

The identified councils affected are:

• Bayside Council
• Blacktown Council
• Blayney Shire Council
• Burwood Council
• Camden Council
• Campbelltown City Council
• Canada Bay city Council
• Central Coast Council
• City of Canterbury Bankstown
• City of Parramatta Council
• City of Ryde Council
• City of Sydney
• Cumberland Council
• Edward River Council
• Eurobodalla Shire Council
• Fairfield City Council
• Georges River Council
• Hawkesbury City Council
• Hornsby Council
• Inner West Council
• Ku-ring-gai Council
• Lake Macquarie City Council
• Liverpool City Council
• Northern Beaches Council
• Penrith City Council
• Randwick City Council
• Shoalhaven City Council
• Strathfield Municipal Council
• Sutherland Shire Council
• The Hills Shire Council
• Willoughby City Council
• Wollondilly Shire Council
• Woollahra Municipal Council

• Greenwood, Artarmon
• Only About Children Artarmon, Artarmon
• Little Learners Academy - Care for Kids, Austral
• Bluey's Treehouse - Kindicare, Avalon
• Paisley Park Early Learning Centre, Brookvale
• Only About Children, Caringbah
• Raising Stars Five Dock Early Learning Centre, Five Dock
• Goodstart  Early Learning, Gladesville
• Mini Masterminds Glenwood (previous block is Meurants Lane, address now 9 Wardia St, Glenwood), Glenwood
• Great Beginnings, Hornsby, Hornsby
• Storey Park Community Centre Playground, Hornsby
• Ingleburn Montessori Academy Early Learning Centre, Ingleburn
• Pebbles Early Learning Childcare, Kingswood
• Orchard Early Learning Centre Kirawee, Kirrawee
• Kirrawee Montessori Academy Childcare Centre, Kirrawee
• Only About Children, Macquarie Park
• Little Zak's Academy - Care for Kids, Narellan Vale
• Whiz Kidz ELC and Preschool, Northmead
• Young Academics Early Learning Centre, Pendle Hill
• Roselands Early Learning Centre, Roselands
• Orchard Early Learning Centre, St Ives
• Only About Children, Redfern, Surry Hills
• Little Zak's Academy, West Hoxton
• Kids Academy, Wyong