Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA), Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water and West Wimmera Council will invite the Kaniva community to an information session on 30 July, 2019 to discuss an illegal waste dump site. EPA has spent several months at a 1,400 acre property 15 kilometres south of Kaniva on the Kaniva-Edenhope Rd searching out buried illegal waste dumps.
"The session on the 30th will give us a chance to provide all the facts of the situation, but throughout, EPA, the water authority and the council have ensured public safety especially to the groundwater which shows no signs of contamination," said Dr Scott Pigdon, Regional Manager, EPA North West Region.
Using its precautionary powers, EPA acted to conduct further investigations of the site including a first ever use by an Australian regulator of ground penetrating radar using drones. The inspections to date have located 20 underground dump sites.
"It has taken some time to be comprehensive under the circumstances given the size of the premises, natural geology and the potential areas where waste may be present," said Dr Pigdon.
"Throughout this long and exhaustive investigation, the safety of the community has been the priority.
"Relevant authorities, immediate neighbours and media have been kept informed and there has been no danger to public from the site. At the community information session on the 30 July, we want to share what is known as well as answer any queries from the local community."
Details of the meeting will be available soon on www.epa.vic.gov.au and through local media outlets.