A Beechworth development firm was one of several companies and individuals that were subject to enforcement action from EPA Victoria last month for breaches of Victoria’s environmental laws.
EPA issued Penalty Infringement Notices to HLM Developments and two individuals for an incident in Beechworth on 18 December 2013.
EPA North East Manager Clare Kiely said EPA officers responding to a pollution report in Silver Creek observed industrial waste had been deposited at an unlicensed site.
“The waste was consistent with bricks, concrete, metal, insulation, timbers and plaster board,” Ms Kiely said.
“The site owner stated they had collected materials from the old hospital site in Beechworth and the truck driver said he had deposited 20 loads of waste at the site.”
The company which generated the waste, HLM Developments, was aware their waste was being transported to an unlicensed rural property.
The owner of the site and transporter of the industrial waste were also aware the site was not licensed to accept the waste.
On 24 March 2014, EPA issued a Clean Up Notice requesting the waste be removed from the site.
The companies and individuals will now receive the Penalty Infringement Notices for a breach of the Environment Protection Act 1970.
Last month EPA issued also issued an Official Warning for incidents in Thomastown and Bendigo.
The purpose of the sanctions is to act as a deterrent against reoffending, and reminds business owners and individuals of their environmental responsibilities.
Sanctions range from an Official Warning or Penalty Infringement Notice ($1,732 for an individual, $ 7,218 for a company) to a license/permit suspension, enforceable undertaking, prosecution or even a permit revocation for the worst offenders.
Those issued with a PIN have 28 days to pay the fine. Alternatively, they can apply for an internal review or have the matter dealt with in court.
*individual names are withheld due to privacy laws