UPDATED: The company operating an Orbost petrol station has been fined more than $8,000 for breaching an official notice that required measures to prevent potentially contaminated water from entering the stormwater system.
Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) Gippsland Region Manager Stephen Lansdell said the company operating the petrol station at 182 Nicholson Street, Orbost, had been given a warning over a similar problem, months earlier.
“The business was already the subject of a Pollution Abatement Notice, an official EPA instruction to modify the forecourt of the premises to prevent any spills from entering stormwater drains on the site or the adjacent roadway,” he said.
EPA officers found the duty holder had made some attempt at preventing pollution, but the measures they had taken did not meet current standards for spill containment and there was still the risk that fuel would enter the stormwater system.
“It is disappointing this issue was not fixed earlier. They have since complied with the Pollution Abatement Notice by easily installing some low cost bunding – a low barrier around the fuel filling area that traps any spilt fuel or contaminated stormwater,” Mr Lansdell said.
The imposition of a fine does not bring the requirements of the Pollution Abatement Notice to an end, and EPA officers will conduct follow up inspections to ensure the proper measures are taken.
“This case is an important reminder to businesses that remedial notices issued under the Environment Protection Act 1970 are to be taken seriously; they are there for the protection of the community and the environment, and backed up by fines for non-compliance.”
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.
EPA is now preparing for new legislation to take effect in 2020, that will give it a stronger focus on prevention and substantially increase potential penalties. The legislation also introduces a criminally enforceable General Environmental Duty, requiring people conducting activities that pose a risk to human health and the environment from pollution and waste to take reasonable steps to eliminate or reduce them.
Pollution from service stations is an ongoing issue across the state, and EPA’s UPSS at Operational Service Stations project has been working to increase awareness in the service station sector of the importance of complying with environmental and OH&S obligations.
The most common problems are leaking underground fuel tanks and service stations with open pit drains on the forecourt, where there is nothing to stop contaminated runoff entering stormwater drains.
EPA has sent 1400 service stations its handy Underground Petroleum Storage System (UPSS) Flipchart - a handy guide with practical tips to help operators to prevent and manage leaks, spills and other hazards.
The Flipchart is available for download at: http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/~/media/Publications/1670.pdf
EPA encourages an anyone who spots suspected pollution to call EPA’s Pollution Hotline on 1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC).