Conservation at Winton Wetlands will receive a $100,000 boost after a Benalla particle board manufacturer was ordered to pay for the project as part of its penalty on environmental charges from EPA Victoria.
The money will fund native seed collection, fencing off a seed collection area, tree planting for a wildlife corridor between Winton Wetlands and the Warby-Ovens National Park, and the establishment of a bush tucker garden space and corroboree circle at an education centre to produce materials for activities including basket weaving and bush tucker cooking.
Monsbent Pty Ltd and its director David Henderson entered a plea of guilty on two charges of breaching conditions of the company's EPA licence to operate. Magistrate Trumble did not record a conviction but ordered the company to pay $100,000 to the environmental project, and a $20,000 fine.
The company director was placed on a 12 month good behaviour bond, and both the director and the company are liable for EPA's court costs of $10,000.
EPA officers laid the charges after finding dust or nuisance airborne particles escaping the property on nine occasions between July 2021 and April 2022. The dust affected air quality and settled on vehicles and a neighbouring residential property.
The company manufactures particleboard at a premises on Yarrawonga Rd, Benalla, processing wood chips which are dried, pressed and mixed with adhesives to form wood panels.
Along with Winton Wetlands, the project will involve the Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation, Goulburn Broken Indigenous Seedbank and local community organisations such as Regent Honeyeater Project, Swamps, Rivers and Ranges, Boys to the Bush and Benalla Garden Club.
EPA Northeast Regional Manager Ben Kneebone says the environmental project at Winton Wetlands will produce practical benefits for the community and biodiversity in the district affected by the pollution.
"The seed collection and planting aspects will support native plants and wildlife," Mr Kneebone said.
"And while the Restorative Project Order benefits the local environment, the size of the financial penalty sends a clear message to businesses that the conditions in their EPA licences are to be taken seriously," he said.
"EPA conducts inspections and examines monitoring data, and members of the public can easily report pollution, so there is no option to just ignore the rules."
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
