The price tag to clean up a historic dumpsite on the Oxley Highway has blown out by almost 7 times the original estimated cost.
Previously estimated to cost $100,000, the discovery of asbestos materials has blown the cleanup costs to approximately $669,500.
A report to Gunnedah Shire Council states the site known to locals as Farmers and Graziers located at 3130 Oxley Highway had been investigated as a potential site for Gunnedah's Koala Park.
Further investigations revealed that not only had the site been used for quarry operations but also as a dumping spot for construction materials including one-tonne of bonded asbestos-containing material.
Other materials discovered on the sight include numerous tyres, abandoned vehicles and disposed Council infrastructure.
Due to the discovery of the extra materials Gunnedah Shire Council notified the NSW Environmental Protection Authority on November 4th 2020.
Gunnedah Shire Council said it remains unclear when or why the waste was disposed of in this way, however, they estimate it has been on the lot for more than 20 years.
Gunnedah Shire Councillor's resolved to split the required increase of funding between the General Unrestricted Fund, the Water Fund and the Sewer Fund.