Despite public warnings there would be no tolerance for illegally burning industrial waste, EPA Victoria has caught business doing just that, and been forced to fine offenders caught in the state's northwest.
After a crackdown, fines totalling nearly $17,000 have been issued against a Merbein South company and four individuals for illegally burning off industrial waste at five separate sites.
Over August and September, EPA officers investigated reports of burn offs at the Meridian Road, Merbein South premises of Australian Fruit Investment Group Pty Ltd (AFIG). Officers also investigated reports of burn offs at properties in Irymple, Red Cliffs, Mildura and Robinvale.
They found the remains of materials such as treated pine posts, grape vine covers, rack sheets, waste tyres, agricultural plastic, mattresses, hessian and other general waste.
Smoke from waste burn-offs can lead to harmful effects on human health, particularly for people with asthma or other lung conditions, older people, pregnant women, babies and young children.
"We fine companies and people to make the message clear; protecting the environment is everyone's business. AFIG should know that burning waste like this is a health and environmental hazard. It should be going to an appropriate place for disposal," EPA Northwest Regional Manager Dr Scott Pigdon said.
"Instead, they've tried saving a few dollars burning it off and that's led to $9,246 in fines. Now, they have to get rid of the waste legally. We also separately fined four individuals over $1,900 for illegally burning waste.
"We warned people in August (https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/about-epa/news-media-and-updates/media-releases-and-news/illegal-burnoffs-cause-concern-in-northwest-victoria), that we would be taking a zero-tolerance approach to this kind of offence. We followed up with a second warning in September (Illegal burn off reports on the rise | Environment Protection Authority Victoria (epa.vic.gov.au))
"If other companies are found to be engaging in the same practice, they can expect a similar outcome."
