A Tanjil South company has been fined for allowing a discharge of wastewater in to the Tanjil River causing pollution that could have caused harm to the environment.
Abattoir Greenham Gippsland has been fined by Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) $7,929 for allowing the discharge which was reported by a member of the local community.
EPA officers attended the site and observed wastewater being pumped from ponds onsite and flowing across the property, leaving the premises boundary and entering the Tanjil River.
An EPA assessment determined that the high amount of discharged nutrient-laden water could cause an environmental hazard to the Tanjil River.
“Even though Greenham is currently engaged in a site upgrade which will improve the management of wastewater, they should have been monitoring the discharge to ensure no runoff was occurring,” said EPA Gippsland Region Manager Stephen Lansdell.
“It’s disappointing to see Greenham fail to prevent the discharge which occurred which was easily preventable if appropriate infrastructure and controls were in place,” he said.
“We believe the discharge had been happening for several days and it took the vigilance of the local community to bring it to our attention so we could take action. The Victorian public are our best eyes and ears and if anyone believes they have seen a pollution event, I urge them to contact us at 1300 EPA VIC.”
Under the Environment Protection Act 1970 and the Infringements Act 2008, the company has the right to have the decision to issue the infringement notice reviewed or alternatively to have the matter heard and determined by a court.