A month-long clean-up operation will be needed to remove thousands of tonnes of contaminated waste illegally dumped more than two years ago near a small township in South Australia's Mount Lofty Ranges.
The waste containing asbestos was allegedly dumped by an Adelaide demolition company at two separate sites at Sedan, about 100 kilometres north-east of Adelaide, in 2017.
The South Australian Environment Protection Authority (EPA) will be running the operation, and said the demolition company had failed to comply with a clean-up order.
About 200 people live in the township and Mid Murray Mayor Dave Burgess said residents were relieved the removal operation was finally underway.
"I think the township will be glad to see the issue tidied up and the waste removed so they can get back to the lifestyle they like," Mr Burgess said.
"I'm always concerned about illegal dumping … it's people putting other people in danger to make a quick profit."
It is expected to take about a month to move all of the contaminated waste from Sedan to a specialist disposal facility in nearby Cambrai, about 12 kilometres away.
The EPA's director of regulation Peter Dolan said protective measures had been put in place to prevent further contamination.
"I can assure residents that the clean-up and transport operation is perfectly safe," he said.
"Asbestos has to be inhaled to be hazardous to human health."
He said the waste would be treated to ensure the safety of those in charge of its removal.
"This waste has been sprayed with glue, which prevents the escape of any exposed asbestos fibres and also works as a dust suppressant," he said.
"It will be wrapped and transferred in covered trucks to a specially lined cell at the Cambrai Waste Depot, which is licensed to receive asbestos."
Mr Dolan said air quality monitoring would also be carried out at both sites while work is undertaken.
The EPA is launching criminal proceedings over the illegal dumping and is also seeking costs for the clean-up.
