Local EPA officer program helping compliance

A PILOT project between the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Surf Coast Shire is helping to keep tradies tidy at building sites around Torquay.

Surf Coast officer for the protection of the local environment Rob Armstrong is one of 11 officers who work with 13 councils across the state to address lower-risk environmental issues, such as dust, odour, noise, illegal dumping, littering and stormwater pollution.

The project has been extended to 31 July, 2019.

Mr Armstrong said following reports of wind-blown litter from new developments, he started a proactive project with council to bring attention to building site rubbish.

“Residents who had moved to the area because of its environmental appeal were reporting rubbish, including styrofoam blocks, plastic bottles, coffee cups, plastic strapping tape and cement bags, being blown about,” he said.

“They were concerned about this material getting into the ocean and styrofoam especially can break down into small particles which are difficult to clean up.

“With strong wind gusts especially prevalent in winter it was important to stop the litter at its source.”

The Surf Coast Shire and EPA sent a letter to more than 15 builders explaining the problem, what sites could do to improve their litter management and the potential penalties that could be imposed if they didn’t clean up their act.

“I then inspected more than 20 sites mainly in Torquay, and a few in Anglesea and Winchelsea, and there has been a fairly positive response to our letter and clean up suggestions,” Mr Armstrong said.

“I also spoke with site supervisors to encourage them to get skip bins emptied more regularly, so overflowing material can’t be blown away as easily.

“I think there’s been an improvement since and I haven’t had to speak to the same site twice, which is great.”

Mr Armstrong said evidence of continued littering would result in Surf Coast Shire issuing a Litter Abatement Notice, which stays on the builder’s file for three years and could lead to a fine.

He thanked Surf Coast residents for their vigilance on local pollution and encouraged people to report their concerns about building site litter to council on 5261 0600 or to the EPA 24-hour pollution hotline 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842).

Businesses can keep up to date on their environmental responsibilities at epa.vic.gov.au.