Victoria's environmental authority will be inspecting businesses around Maryborough, Dunolly, Talbot and Carisbrook this week, and stopping in for a chat with members of the public.
EPA Victoria officers will inspect 20 small-to-medium businesses on Thursday and Friday (22-23 February), and set up a Listening Post outside Maryborough Library, to answer questions and offer advice to the public.
EPA Regional Manager Dr Scott Pigdon says it will be a low-key version of the blitzes the authority has conducted in other locations.
"EPA campaigns in some parts of the state have focused on areas that have ongoing problems with industrial fires or contamination in local waterways," Dr Pigdon said.
"In Maryborough's case we expect it to be more about prevention, helping businesses to understand their responsibilities and the measures they can take to stop pollution from happening," he said.
"However, if there are issues observed, EPA doesn't hesitate to use its compliance and enforcement tools where there's deliberate negligence or criminal activity. In most cases, businesses want to do the right thing, and we achieve quite a lot with education and cooperation."
The General Environmental Duty (GED) that took effect with the new Environment Protection Act in 2021 makes it every Victorian's responsibility to take reasonable action to protect the environment from pollution and waste.
"Along with specific issues like fire prevention, leaks and spills, noise, odour and the proper storage of waste and recyclables, the GED gives everyone a general responsibility to do their best," Dr Pigdon said.
"This Thursday and Friday, we'll give Maryborough's businesspeople and the public the chance to look at the issues and see how they can help to protect the community and the environment," he said.
There's advice for business on the EPA Victoria website: epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/get-involved/past-events/the-role-of-industry-and-business-in-protecting-the-environment
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
They can also drop in at the EPA Victoria Listening Post, in front of the Maryborough Library, in Nolan Street, this Thursday, 22 February between 10.30 am and 1 pm
