Draft regulations providing guidance for the safe and efficient storage of used waste tyres have been released for public consultation.
The release of the draft Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) aims to identify the best way to minimise the environmental and public health impacts from inappropriate storage of waste tyres.
It is estimated that approximately six million waste passenger car tyres were unaccounted for in Victoria in 2012-13, believed to be stockpiled or illegally dumped.
EPA Knowledge, Standards and Assessment Director Tim Eaton said the number of used or waste tyres generated in Victoria each year was growing.
“Whole tyres are flammable and when they are stored together in large volumes, they can create a fire hazard. Once ignited, they are difficult to extinguish and can cause significant environmental, social and economic costs.”
“The proposed regulations require premises that store more than 40 tonnes or 5,000 equivalent passenger units of whole waste tyres to obtain works approvals and licences from EPA.”
“This will provide ongoing legislation around the management of fire risks from the storage of waste tyres, placing EPA in a strong position to take action by enforcing stricter rules on how they are stored.”
Mr Eaton said EPA led the development of the RIS, with support from the Department of Environment and Primary Industries and with input from Victoria’s fire services, industry associations and tyre recycling businesses.
The public consultation period will remain open until 5pm, 31 October 2014. All interested stakeholders are invited to provide their comments on the draft RIS; submissions received will be used to inform any amendments to the proposed regulations.
The Environment Protection (Scheduled Premises and Exemptions), (Industrial Waste Resource) and (Fees) Amendment Regulations are intended to take effect from 29 April 2015.
Copies of the RIS and the proposed regulations can be obtained at www.epa.vic.gov.au, by emailing wastetyresris@epa.vic.gov.au or by phoning EPA on 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842)