Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has fined an Irymple man $1886 for discarding industrial waste at a site not permitted to accept it.
Following a pollution report to EPA alleging industrial waste had been buried at the site, environment protection officers visited the Irymple property, on Dow Avenue, on 30 November last year.
EPA Acting North West Manager Danny Childs said the officers immediately noticed two areas of disturbed soil at the premises and tyre marks leading to those areas.
“On closer inspection, it was confirmed the disturbed areas, measuring 10 to 15 metres in diameter, appeared to have been excavated and refilled with industrial waste, which consisted mainly of concrete, bricks and plaster board.
“The officers spoke to the site owner who confirmed he was responsible for burying the demolition waste, and that it was buried there following a demolition at his property.”
“EPA has issued the owner with a Clean Up Notice requiring the industrial waste be removed and disposed of in a legal manner.”
“The illegal dumping of industrial waste at a site not licensed to accept it is an offence under section 27A (2) of the Environment Protection Act 1970.”
“Regulation of the disposal of construction and demolition type waste aims to protect the environment and provide a level playing field across the industry. Construction and demolition waste can only be disposed of at sites permitted or licensed to accept it.”
“Landowners can learn how to correctly dispose of construction and demolition waste by visiting the EPA website, which has advice on legal environmental obligations.”
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