Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has fined a Wodonga individual more than $3,600 for illegally depositing industrial waste at three sites not licensed to receive it.
EPA Executive Director of Regional Services Damian Wells said the waste had been deposited at properties on Carrolls Lane, situated on flood plains of the Murray River next to Wodonga Regional Park.
“EPA officers found large quantities of illegally dumped industrial waste that included concrete rubble, timber pallets, doors, off-cuts and chipboard at the sites, which is an offence under the Environment Protection Act 1970,” Mr Wells said.
Mr Wells said EPA had also issued the occupier of the premises with notices that required all of the industrial waste to be removed.
“All of the waste must be cleared from the three sites so that no contamination of the environment can occur. The waste must be taken to a site, such as a landfill, that is licensed to receive it,” Mr Wells said.
“The notices require two of the sites to be cleared by 18 November, while industrial waste from the last site must be removed by 5 May 2017.”
Mr Wells said as Victoria’s environmental regulator, reducing large scale illegal dumping was a key priority for EPA.
“In 2015–16, EPA issued 98 notices to stop receiving or to clean-up illegally dumped waste. EPA also served 17 penalty infringement notices for illegal dumping, which ensured that culpable receivers, transporters or dumpers of waste were held to account,” Mr Wells said.
“Illegal dumping of industrial waste undermines legitimate businesses and Victoria’s waste management and resource recovery system.”
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