Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has fined the operator of the Stawell regional landfill more than $15,000 for breaching two conditions of its licence.
Under sections of its EPA licence, Statewide Recycling Services Pty Ltd (Stawell Regional Landfill) is required to cover over any waste it receives at the end of each day and is also required to ensure waste stockpiled in Cell 1 and Cell 2 does not exceed 9000m3.
But EPA North West Acting Manager, Danny Childs said a licence compliance visit to the site, at Pomonal Road, in February this year found neither condition had been complied with.
“The officers found waste was exposed in a poorly covered overfill area despite the licence stating that by the end of each day, waste must be covered with a layer of soil of at least 30 centimetres thick or using another method of cover approved by EPA,” he said.
“The waste temporarily stockpiled in Cell 1 and Cell 2 had also exceeded its 9000m3 limit by more than 2000m3.”
“As a result, EPA has issued the operator with two separate $7773 Penalty Infringement Notices due to breaching two conditions of its licence.
“It’s very disappointing that the operator continues to breach its licence conditions – EPA issued them with three fines last year for breaches of EPA licence conditions relating to exposed waste, exceeding landfill gas levels and failing to survey an asbestos cell.
“While EPA is aware the operator is currently constructing a new cell, the continuous breaches of its current EPA licence highlights a disregard for the law and their environmental obligations.
“EPA will continue to inspect the site and enforce action if required. The requirements set out in a licence are the minimum standards expected by the EPA that a duty holder will be held to account to comply with.
“EPA will continue to inspect the site and if further breaches are identified appropriate enforcement action will be carried out in line with EPA’s Compliance & Enforcement Policy.”