Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has fined the City of Ballarat more than $1,500 for failing to fully comply with a notice that required it to detail the extent of waste that exists beyond the boundary of the former Black Hill Landfill.
EPA South West Manager Carolyn Francis said EPA issued the notice to the council after historical data showed waste was likely to have extended beyond what was thought to have been the boundary of the landfill that operated between 1978 and 1982.
“EPA’s notice required the council to provide a report that showed where waste extends beyond the known boundary. While the report provided by council shows where legacy waste abuts several boundaries of the site, the investigative works did not continue any further,” Ms Francis said.
Ms Francis said the failure to completely detail where the waste existed at the site now known as the Chisholm Street Recreation Reserve meant the council was non-compliant with the notice.
“Because of this EPA has fined the council for breaching its notice requirements and will now require it to undertake further assessment works in consultation with any affected or potentially affected property owners,” Ms Francis said.
“EPA will require remediation to be undertaken where it is considered necessary, and will require further assessment to ensure risks to human health and the environment are being adequately managed.
“EPA will also ensure City of Ballarat continues the ongoing management and monitoring of the old landfill site on the Chisholm Street Recreation Reserve.”