This information was revealed exclusively to the South Coast Register, after a freedom of information request was recently fulfilled, in the public interest, by Shoalhaven City Council.

Council issued four fines to the company, for acting in contravention of the development consent, which did not allow Shoalhaven Quarries to import any material.

A joint council and Environment Protection Authority inspection of the site at Tomerong in March 2017 found 1201 tonnes had been received in April 2016, along with 189 tonnes in March 2016, 432 tonnes in February 2016 and 95 tonnes in January 2016.

Fly ash is classified as hazardous according to the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and labelling of chemicals and Work, Health and Safety Regulations, Australia.

It is harmful if inhaled, may cause cancer by inhalation and may cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure by inhalation.

The waste by-product was carried on trucks from a Botany-based manufacturing plant.

Tomerong locals had asked for information on the material that was mysteriously arriving by the truckload in 2016, and their fears have finally been confirmed.

Tomerong Community Forum president Peter Allison believes the news could be devastating for Tomerong residents, and anyone who has come into contact with the material.

“It’s scary, this is quite alarming,” he said.

“All people who live on Parnell Road are on tank water.

“There’s a gentleman who took photos of the dust that flew onto his property when the quarry was operating.

“There are no wheel washing machines in place, and there was no dust suppression on site.

“Not only does this affect residents, it affects every council worker that's worked with that product on the road.”

Though it still has a licence to operate, the quarry has been closed for almost a year.

Locals have enjoyed the serenity, and hope an application to operate at four times its previous capacity is denied by council.