Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has issued Parks Victoria with a pollution abatement notice that requires it to cease cleaning activities at a wash bay in Warrandyte State Park.
EPA Executive Director Damian Wells said the notice had been issued following an inspection that found waste water management practices at the site had the potential to harm the environment.
“The notice reflects the fact that Parks Victoria has already stopped the practices and provides the appropriate statutory oversights,” Mr Wells said.
Mr Wells said that during the inspection EPA officers took soil samples near the wash bay and water samples from the Yarra River to determine if any impacts on the environment were occurring.
“The results of these samples indicate minor herbicide contamination of soil near the wash bay and no current contamination of the Yarra River from these herbicides,” Mr Wells said.
Mr Wells said Parks Victoria had advised EPA that it had adopted new practices to prevent waste material leaving the site and that these practices were being reviewed during EPA’s investigation to ensure compliance with the Environment Protection Act 1970.
“If during the investigation any breaches of the Environment Protection Act 1970 are identified, they will be assessed against EPA’s Compliance and Enforcement Policy which considers environmental harm and culpability of the offence,” Mr Wells said.
Mr Wells said that while the samples showed minor sediment contamination, the notice was issued to reassure the community that harm to the environment was not occurring and waste water management practices at the site had been remedied.
“Parks Victoria will also be required to complete an independent assessment of environmental impacts from the wash bay facility,” Mr Wells said.
EPA’s expectation is that all duty holders prevent wastewater discharge to the environment unless licensed to do so.
EPA initially inspected the site following a report to its pollution hotline 1300 EPA VIC.