Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has fined Moira Shire Council more than $7,900 for beaching a condition of its EPA licence at its Cobram Landfill.
EPA North East Manager Emma Knights said EPA investigators had used drone technology to identify that appropriate cover of waste at the landfill had not occurred.
“EPA has invested in new surveillance gear to assist in ensuring licence obligations are met. In this case, the EPA licence condition that requires operators of landfills to cover exposed waste at the end of operations for the day was not met,” Ms Knights said.
“The licence conditions for Moira Shire Council’s Cobram Landfill require solid inert waste contained in landfill cells to have a covering of 15 centimetres of soil, or a cover approved by EPA, placed over any exposed waste at the end of each working day.
“All other wastes must have a daily cover of soil at least 30 centimetres thick.”
Ms Knights said the drone was launched over the site after an EPA licence compliance inspection.
“EPA’s drone captured footage of uncovered waste at the landfill, resulting in Moira Shire Council being fined,” Ms Knights said.
Ms Knights said EPA licence conditions included the need to cover waste at the end of each day.
“Covering exposed litter at the end of each day, greatly reduces the possibility of odour impacting on local residents. It also lessens the chances of litter being blown about by the elements and leaving the premises,” Ms Knights said.
“Should it rain, the potential for contaminated runoff entering a stormwater system is also greatly reduced.”
Ms Knights said EPA would continue to monitor the landfill to ensure compliance with all conditions of the site’s EPA licence occurred.
EPA wants to continue to work with the public to ensure we all take responsibility for the environment, and urges members of the public to report suspected pollution to the EPA on 1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC) or at www.epa.vic.gov.au