EPA has fined a local man nearly $2,000 and ordered a clean up after responding to reports of burning piles of waste on a property at Yarragon.
The case began on 18 July with a report from a member of the public who said there were burning stockpiles of assorted waste on a property on Moe River Rd.
EPA officers found piles of bricks, metal, plastic, plaster, timber and other waste on the property, and evidence that some waste had been burnt.
During the inspection, the person in charge of the property told them construction and demolition waste had been deposited at the site by local businesses, other community members, family and friends.
The report from the public said the burning of waste had been happening occasionally over several months.
The EPA officers advised the man that it is an offense for any person who receives or transports industrial waste to dispose of it in an unlawful place, including by burning it. The man did not hold an EPA permission to accept, process or dispose of the waste and the officers gave him verbal guidance on how to dispose of the waste properly.
EPA followed up the advice with a legally enforceable Environmental Action Notice requiring the man to remove the stockpiled waste and dispose of it at a place that is licensed to receive it.
The man has been fined $1,849 for unlawfully depositing more than 1000 litres of waste.
Under the Environment Protection Act 2017 and the Infringements Act 2006, the operator 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
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
There is information on how to manage construction and demolition waste on the EPA website: epa.vic.gov.au/for-business/find-a-topic/manage-industrialwaste/construction-and-demolition-waste
The EPA website also has information on industrial waste: epa.vic.gov.au/forbusiness/waste/waste-duties/industrial-waste
