Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has fined Parks Victoria more than $7,500 for discharging contaminated wastewater into the Buchan River in Gippsland.
EPA Gippsland Manager Stephen Lansdell said the discharges had come from the wastewater treatment plant at the caravan park near the Buchan River, and had occurred multiple times since July 2011.
“While the site is allowed to discharge treated wastewater, Parks Victoria has breached its EPA licence limits on as many as 16 occasions since 2011,” Mr Lansdell said.
The breaches were not reported to EPA due to the results of Park Victoria’s sampling regime being misinterpreted.
Mr Lansdell said that while Parks Victoria had now fixed the problem, EPA scientists had advised the past discharges could have impacted on aquatic life in the Buchan River.
“As part of an internal Parks Victoria review of its wastewater treatment plant licences across the state, a fault was found in its data reporting to EPA. This was immediately communicated to EPA,” Mr Lansdell said.
Mr Lansdell said in addition to the $7,773 fine, EPA had also issued Parks Victoria with an Official Warning Notice for failing to notify the breaches of its licence within a timely manner.
As a Government partner that plays a very important role in protecting our parks in Victoria, it is important EPA hold Parks Victoria to account for its environmental obligations.
Community are encouraged to report pollution to EPA's 24-hour pollution hotline on 1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC).