A Melbourne-based demolition company and its directors have been fined $1500 and ordered to pay $13,000 in court costs for illegally dumping industrial waste at a car park site in Tullamarine.
Express Demolition & Excavation Pty Ltd (Express Demolition) pleaded guilty to dumping approximately 1000 cubic metres of industrial waste, predominately bricks, at the Tullamarine site between November 2013 and October 2014.
Company directors, Anthony Selvaggi and Joseph Andrew Selvaggi also pleaded guilty to depositing waste at a site not licensed to accept it. Express Demolition and both directors were fined without conviction.
EPA commenced an investigation in October 2014 following reports waste was being deposited at the Jetaway Airport parking site controlled by Patchwood Holdings Pty Ltd (Patchwood).
Patchwood and its director face two charges under the Environment Protection Act 1970 for allegedly permitting the deposit of industrial waste at a place not licensed to accept it and for failing to comply with a Clean-Up Notice issued by EPA in January 2015.
A third company, Monark Industries Pty Ltd (Monark Industries) and its director are charged with allegedly failing to comply with a requirement made by an EPA authorised officer.
EPA Metro Manager Dan Hunt, said the investigation into the three companies reflected EPA’s focus on reducing the illegal dumping of industrial waste across Victoria.
“It’s estimated more than 350,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste is illegally dumped in Victoria every year, posing risks to our environment, health and economy,” Mr Hunt said.
“Whether you’re generating, transporting or receiving construction and demolition waste, you must manage it responsibly using licensed or permitted facilities.”
EPA urges members of the public to continue reporting suspected illegal dumping to the EPA on 1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC) or at www.epa.vic.gov.au
The matters involving Patchwood and Monark Industries are listed for contest mention in the Broadmeadows Magistrates Court on 16 November 2016.
As these matters are now before the court and EPA’s investigation is continuing, EPA will make no further comment at this time.