Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has fined the operator of Stawell Regional Landfill more than $15,000 after two breaches of its EPA licence.
EPA North West Regional Manager, Scott Pigdon said Statewide Recycling Services Pty Ltd had received two separate fines of more than $7,500 each for exceeding landfill gas levels and failing to survey an asbestos cell.
“While we found methane emissions higher than those set out in EPA licence and guidance documents, the gas is confined within the landfill premise boundary. As a result EPA has issued a Pollution Abatement Notice to the company requiring works to reduce the issues identified,” Dr Pigdon said.
Dr Pigdon said EPA officers had also inspected the landfill’s licensed asbestos cell and discovered that the cell had not been surveyed, despite it being operational and accepting asbestos.
Under their EPA licence, Statewide Recycling Services Pty Ltd are required to have all landfill cells surveyed annually as to determine the quantity of both waste and asbestos deposited within the landfill and any remaining airspace available.
Dr Pigdon said the company had been issued a Pollution Abatement Notice requiring the survey works to be completed, which has now been complied with.
“EPA expects duty holders to adhere to their licence conditions. They are the minimum requirements to meet their environmental obligations,” he said.
“We’re here to work with our duty holders to help them understand their licence obligations, but we won’t hesitate to take further action if these conditions aren’t adhered too.”
EPA has several current remedial notices issued to Statewide Recycling Services Pty Ltd requiring works to be completed at their Stawell landfill premises.