A southwest Gippsland man has been fined $1,934 over leaking dairy effluent that flowed into a creek near his farm and had the potential to contaminate the nearby Bass River.
Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) Gippsland Region Manager Jessica Bandiera says the incident with dairy effluent came not long after EPA fined a Leongatha company over leaking milk that found its way into a stormwater drain.
“Pollution from all along the dairy industry supply chain is an industry wide problem; it is doing damage to the environment, allowing valuable product and potential fertiliser to go to waste, and costing farmers and companies serious fines as EPA enforces the law,” Ms Bandiera said.
“In this case, diary effluent was flowing from the farm to a nearby creek that eventually flows into the Bass River,” she said.
“Dairy effluent is rich in nutrients, which makes it ideal fertiliser if it is managed well, but a serious threat to human health and aquatic life in the affected waterways.”
The investigation was triggered by a report from a member of the public. EPA officers inspected the site and found effluent flowing freely from the dairy shed and effluent ponds to a creek line that flows into the Bass River.
They took samples at three locations and found significant levels of phosphorous, nitrogen and ammonia, as well as higher levels of E.coli bacteria that are considered unsafe for human contact.
The issue resulted from poor equipment maintenance and a lack of containment at the premises. EPA has issued the farmer with a Pollution Abatement Notice (PAN), an official instruction to take action to prevent dairy effluent from the farm from pollution nearby land or surface waters.
“Spillage from the dairy industry is more of a threat to the environment than many people realise, and it is disappointing to note that this is not the first offence for this individual,” Ms Bandiera said.
“Spills cost the industry valuable dairy produce and fertiliser, and putrefying milk or effluent entering a waterway can be harmful or fatal to wildlife and livestock, or fish and other aquatic life,” Ms Bandiera said.
Farmers, transport companies and milk processors can find a guide to the proper storage and handling of liquids on the EPA website, at: https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/business-and-industry/guidelines/liquid-storage-and-handling-guidance
“Gippsland is one of Victoria’s most productive dairy regions and everyone in the supply chain is responsible for protecting the environment from the harmful effects of milk or effluent entering waterways,” she said.
“The message for every part of the dairy industry is clear; if you don’t do the right thing by the environment and the community, there can be consequences for your reputation and your bottom line”.
Under the Environment Protection Act 1970 and the Infringements Act 2008, the farmer 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 introduces a criminally enforceable General Environmental Duty, a responsibility for anyone whose activities may involve pollution to take reasonable steps to eliminate risk to human health and the environment.
Members of the public can report pollution by calling EPA’s 24-hour hotline on 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842).