*** MEDIA ALERT *** Poo balls, asbestos dumping and lead contamination to go unchecked due to planned staff cuts at EPA
Public Service Association
What: PSA Rally to Save the EPA (100+ people)
When: 1:00pm, Wednesday 5 November 2025
Where: Parramatta Square (outside EPA building/ABC Building)
Poo balls, asbestos dumping and lead contamination to go unchecked due to planned staff cuts at EPA
Poo ball detectives, asbestos dumping inspectors and lead contamination monitors are all to be sacked if the Minns Government presses ahead with plans unveiled late last month to cut 1 in 10 positions from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
The Government has announced they will cut 150 jobs.
Dozens of EPA workers will rally in Parramatta Square today to protest the Minns Government’s devastating decision to cut critical environmental protection roles.
The rally, organised by the Public Service Association (PSA), will take place at 1:00pm on Wednesday 5 November 2025 outside the EPA headquarters in Parramatta Square.
PSA General Secretary Stewart Little said the Minns Government’s actions amount to environmental vandalism at a time when NSW faces growing environmental crises.
“Our members clean up mystery poo balls when they wash up on Sydney’s beaches, they stop criminals dumping asbestos in bushland, they monitor lead levels in mining towns like Broken Hill to keep local kids safe,” said Mr Little.
“They make sure radioactive medical waste is transported and disposed of safely, that PFAS firefighting foam doesn’t contaminate our drinking water, and that soft plastic doesn’t end up in our waterways.
“Cutting these jobs doesn’t save money - it guarantees more environmental damage and health risks for the people of NSW.
“While the Government talks about sustainability, it’s gutting the very agency tasked with keeping our air, water and land safe.
“It is of concern that the Environment Minister Penny Sharpe doesn’t realise the value of EPA staff and the essential work they do.”
Recent pollution incidents, including “poo balls” washing up on Sydney beaches and rising lead contamination in Broken Hill, highlight the vital work EPA staff do every day to protect the public and environment.
The cuts also come as the EPA is under pressure to regulate major issues such as:
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PFAS contamination around airport firefighting sites in Richmond and Williamstown
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Illegal logging on the North Coast
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Asbestos fill concerns in parks in Liverpool
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Safe disposal of flammable lithium ion batteries
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Transportation and safe disposal of radioactive medical waste
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Mystery poo balls washing up on Sydney’s beaches
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Lead contamination in mining towns like Broken Hill
“NSW needs a stronger, not weaker, environmental watchdog,” said Mr Little.
“This short sighted decision to save a small amount of money is going to cost us much more in the long run.
“If these cuts go ahead, the EPA will be reduced to a toothless tiger - and the community will pay the price.”
Contact: Tim Brunero 0405 285 547