EPA fines local company

A company from Bacchus Marsh has copped a fine of close to $10,000 from the EPA, following the discovery of dumped industrial waste.

EPA Victoria hit Ag Store Pty Ltd with a fine of $9,246, after finding a 12-metre-long pile of burning industrial waste at Lascelles in the state’s northwest last September.

EPA officers found the burnt remains of industrial waste, including plastic covers used for grain silage, drink cans, spray cans, plastic grease cartridges, metal buckets, PVC plastic, glass, cardboard, an oil filter, tyres, and a burnt mattress frame on top of the pile.

The pile was approximately 12 metres long, five metres wide and two metres high, and was smouldering with a small area of fire still burning when they arrived at the Sunraysia Highway site on 27 September 2022.

EPA North-West Regional Manager Dr Scott Pigdon says whether the burning was deliberate or accidental, it was a source of toxic smoke and possible contamination of the soil and local waterways.

“This was both illegal and hazardous to human health and the environment. Industrial waste like this must be taken to a properly licensed landfill or recycling facility. It’s the only way to do the right thing by the environment and your community,” Dr Pigdon said.

“Leaving the ash and partially burnt waste there means the next rain will take the material straight to the nearest creek or stormwater drain.”

EPA instructed the company to stop depositing and burning waste at the premises, and to remove the burnt waste to a facility that is licensed and properly equipped to accept it.

“The atmosphere and the nearest creek are not the right places for your industrial waste. Anyone can pick up a phone and report similar waste fires to EPA,” Dr Pigdon said.

Under the Environment Protection Act 2017 and the Infringements Act 2006, the company has the right to have the infringement notice reviewed or be considered by a court.

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