EPA has issued a number of Pollution Abatement Notices with regards to the capping of filled areas and leachate management, to the BTQ Group, operators of the Bulla Tip at 500 Sunbury Road.
Capping of filled areas prevents odour emissions and decreases the spread of vermin around landfill sites and leachate management is where operators must deal appropriately with water run-off from landfill sites.
Over the previous 12 months, EPA has received more than 50 complaints from local residents which is a substantial amount for a sparsely populated area.
EPA Metro Manager, Richard Marks said that EPA is aware of the significant community concern relating to the operation of the Bulla Tip at 500 Sunbury Road.
“EPA conducts regular compliance inspections of all licenced facilities, during the last twelve months, we have attended the BTQ Group Pty Ltd premises in Sunbury Road on nine separate occasions,” Mr Marks said.
“EPA is working closely with Hume City Council, the Country Fire Authority, Work Cover Authority and B.T.Q. Group Pty Ltd to address these concerns.
“Our first course of action is to work with the operator to ensure compliance with the Environment Protection Act but if they fail to do so, our officers will look at imposing penalties.
Failure to comply with these notices may result in penalty notices attracting fines up to $7,218, and where companies are prosecuted at court, the maximum penalty is $250,000 and suspension or cancellation of licence to operate.
As EPA is continuing to investigate complaints made against the Bulla Tip, it is inappropriate to comment on those complaints at this time.
“I strongly urge any residents in the area to report any incidents where they believe companies are not complying with their obligations under the Act.
“EPA officers are actively involved in this issue and will continue to be involved for as long as it takes to ensure residents’ concerns are satisfactorily addressed.” Mr Marks said.
Environment Protection Officers investigate reports made via our pollution hotline and encourage the community to call 1300 EPA VIC when they are experiencing odour, smoke and dust impacts.