Pindarri Poultry fall foul of EPA

THE Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) recently fined a company for dumping raw chicken scraps down a stormwater drain at North Shore.

Pindarri Poultry Pty Ltd was fined $8,060 and was also issued with an EPA Pollution Abatement Notice requiring it to make changes to stop the fault from re-occurring, or face further punishment.

EPA regional manager for the South West Carolyn Francis said the investigation began after they were contacted by a member of the public.

“EPA officers observed a flow of turbid water containing scraps of raw chicken discharging into a stormwater drain on Seaside Parade, North Shore.

“They followed it back to the source, a poultry processing factory, where waste water normally sent for treatment through the sewerage system had been directed to a stormwater drain that led eventually to Corio Bay.”

Ms Francis said actions such as this could cause major problems.

“The discharge of industrial wastewater containing bacteria and nutrient-rich material like this can cause blooms of toxic algae and fish kills, as well as endangering people’s health and being unsightly.”

Pindarri Poultry Pty Ltd were fined for breaching the Environment Protection Act 1970. The act classifies any process waters from an industrial or commercial activity as industrial waste and subsequently prohibits them from being dumped into stormwater.

Victoria also has a new set of environment laws that become active on July 1, 2020. These laws look to prevent businesses and individuals from causing harm to the environment and human health.

For more information on these new laws, head to epa.vic.gov.au/newlaws.

To report pollution, including contaminated water, phone the EPA’s 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842.