Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has issued the City of Ballarat with a remedial notice that requires it to re-cover waste from the former Black Hill Landfill exposed during the construction of a swale drain.
EPA South West Manager Eve Graham said an EPA officer inspected the drain along the southern boundary of the old site during an inspection.
“EPA found that the swale drain, only about 15 centimetres deep but 150 metres long, had unearthed waste material consistent with what would be found at a landfill, including plastics, bricks, bottles and cans,” Ms Graham said.
“The notice issued by EPA requires the Council to modify the swale drain on the southern boundary of the premises to cover exposed landfill waste by the end of September.”
Ms Graham said the EPA had also observed water flowing in the swale drain and into a stormwater pit.
“Of concern to the EPA is that the Yarrowee River is just 100 metres from the south-east of the former landfill and this water that is flowing through uncovered waste could end up in the river,” Ms Graham said.
Ms Graham said the notice followed another issued in June that required the council to detail exactly where waste extended beyond the boundary of its former Black Hill Landfill, now known as the Chisholm Street Recreation Reserve.
“This notice was issued after historic aerial photographs and sampling undertaken from nearby residential land indicated that waste was likely to have extended beyond what was thought to have been the boundary of the landfill that operated between 1978 and 1982,” Ms Graham.
“Following the closure of the landfill it was rezoned as a public park and recreation zone, while adjacent land was zoned residential.
“The City of Ballarat must provide a full report to EPA by 30 November 2016 detailing the extent to which waste extends beyond the former Black Hill Landfill site.”
EPA urges members of the public to continue reporting suspected pollution to EPA on 1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC) or at www.epa.vic.gov.au