The dumping of thousands of tonnes of construction and demolition waste on a Tullamarine site has left two companies owing over $42,000 in fines and costs, and a third company still facing charges from Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA).
Monark Industries P/L trading as “Hughes Demolition” of 45-51 Slater Pde, Keilor East, has been fined $5,000 and ordered to pay over $23,000 in costs for depositing industrial waste at a site that was not licensed to accept it and failing to comply with EPA requests for information.
The director of the company has been placed on a 12 month good behaviour bond without conviction after pleading guilty to the same charges.
EPA Manager Metro Peter Kerr said the charges relate to the dumping of an estimated 2800 cubic metres of typical construction and demolition waste.
“In this case, the waste consisted mostly of bricks and concrete with some plastics and timber, spread over an area of more than 1,000 square metres at 6 Prima Court, Tullamarine,” Mr Kerr said.
EPA investigated the Tullamarine site after Brimbank City Council officers spotted the dumped waste and reported it.
Another company has been required to pay over $14,000 in fines and costs over the dumping of industrial waste at the site. A third company is still facing charges and has been issued with a legal requirement that the site be cleaned up.
“Construction and demolition activities across the state generate a wide range of industrial waste materials including rock and soil from excavation; waste asphalt, bricks, concrete, plasterboard, timber and vegetation; and of particular concern, asbestos and contaminated soil,” Mr Kerr said.
“Most of that waste is managed responsibly, but illegal dumping of this kind of material is costing Victoria over $30 million a year in clean-up costs,” he said.
“That is particularly disappointing, given that much of it can be processed for productive reuse in building and construction.”
Businesses can find tips to responsibly manage construction and demolition waste, by visiting the EPA website at http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/your-environment/waste/construction-and-demolition-waste
EPA has an Illegal Dumping Strikeforce dedicated to reducing the dumping of large scale industrial waste such as construction and demolition materials, and waste tyres.
Members of the public can report illegal dumping and other pollution of the environment to the 24-hour EPA pollution hotline, by calling 1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC). There’s more information at www.epa.vic.gov.au/get-involved/report-pollution