Technology deployed to help protect Karaaf Wetlands

ROBOT cameras are crawling into drains and drones are taking off in Torquay North as part of the latest efforts to protect the Karaaf Wetlands.

Officers from Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria and the Surf Coast Shire are running inspections of home building sites in the area, and the recent deployment of the technology will add to those efforts.

Building sites produce considerable amounts of discarded packaging and scrap from items such as waffle pods. This packaging and scrap – pieces of paper, plastic and polystyrene – is light, and can make its way into drains, waterways, and the wetlands.

EPA Victoria is using camera drones for aerial surveillance and sending robotic cameras into drains to look for blockages and litter.

EPA Victoria regional manager for the south-west Tanya McAteer said the Karaaf Wetlands were a treasured asset to the community and the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners.

“The wetlands are downstream from new estates and fed by stormwater drains and local waterways.

That makes them vulnerable to any chemicals, litter and sediment that escape those building sites.

“We would like to do the job with education and cooperation, but we won’t hesitate to fine or prosecute offenders who put the wetlands at risk with carelessness or deliberate offending.”

EPA officers are looking for compliance with the General Environmental Duty (GED), part of the Environment Protection Act 2017.

The GED requires all Victorians to take reasonable steps to protect the environment and people’s health from pollution.

On building sites, that means having controls for sediment and stormwater, so paint, concrete slurry, mud, and other waste does not escape.

Surf Coast Shire officers will be looking for sources of litter such as overloaded waste skips and dumped waste.

“Wetlands are ecosystems that perform an essential role. They purify stormwater, reduce the effect of floods, store carbon and support native birds, animals and aquatic life,” Ms McAteer said.

“The Karaaf Wetlands provide a sensitive saltwater habitat. Pollutants and chemicals in this environment can threaten the entire ecosystem, so it’s everyone’s responsibility to protect it.”

EPA recently fined a painting contractor more than $5,000 after finding water used to wash painting equipment was flowing from a Torquay North building site into a gutter that led to a stormwater drain.

EPA’s Civil construction building and demolition guide (publication 1834) is available at epa.vic.gov.au

Members of the public can report pollution by phoning EPA’s 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842 or providing details online at epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/reporting-pollution