Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has fined a Campbellfield construction company almost $8000 for illegally discharging sediment-laden water from a Tarneit site into the Growling Grass Frog conservation zone that flows into Davis Creek.
EPA Metro Manager Emma Roper said the $7929 fine issued to Winslow Constructors Pty Ltd followed a joint EPA and Wyndham City Council investigation that was sparked by a community report to EPA’s pollution hotline.
“An EPA Officer for the Protection of the Local Environment* (OPLE) and a council officer attended the site and found that sediment-laden water was being pumped from the site and was flowing into a local waterway,” Ms Roper said.
“Sediment-laden water has the potential to pollute local waterways and impact fish and vegetation. It is well known in the construction industry that water from a building site must be treated to meet state environmental protection policies prior to it being discharged to a waterway or stormwater drain.
The pump discharging sediment laden water was turned off by a site representative after being informed by attending officers that water must be treated to prior to discharge.
Wyndham City Council Environment and Water Manager Antoniette Michail said improving the health and amenity of waterways and the coastal environment was a key objective for both Council and the EPA.
“Wyndham City Council is committed to creating a resilient and liveable city. The reduction of nutrients and sediment to waterways is a key part of making our waterways healthy and usable,” Ms Michail said.
“EPA and Wyndham City Council have been working together over the past eight months to reduce incidents of sediment into waterways from development sites. While education and information is the priority, EPA or Council will take enforcement action where necessary. The OPLE program continues to improve responses to local pollution and waste issues in the local community.”
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.
Members of the public can report pollution by calling the EPA’s 24-hour pollution hotline on 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842).
*Funded by the Victorian government, the $6.47 million ‘Officers for the Protection of the Local Environment’ (OPLE) pilot program has seen 11 authorised EPA officers assigned to 13 council areas across the state.
While EPA’s officers tend to prioritise larger scale, higher risk pollution and polluters, OPLEs work on local amenity. Based at council offices, and working hand in hand with them, they are able to swiftly respond to local reports of noise, odour, dust, waste dumping and storage, litter and water pollution.
More information about the OPLE program can be found here: https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/our-work/programs/ople-pilot