EPA Victoria inspections of Gippsland dairy farms has found high levels of non-compliance in howthey manage dairy effluent.
EPA officers visited 19 farms in the Poowong North, Hallora, Nyora, Ripplebrook and Athlone areas. Despite ongoing communications with the industry, 85 per cent were non-compliant.
"EPA has consistently communicated with dairy farmers about the requirements regarding on farm management of dairy effluent. To find that just 15 per cent of the farms visited were compliant is surprising and disappointing," Jessica Bandiera EPA Gippsland Regional Manager said.
"There are many actions that farmers can take to prevent harm to the environment. Maintaining a dairy effluent management system is vital. Cleaning out the dairy effluent ponds regularly and ensuring appropriate irrigation systems are in place will capture valuable resources and save thousands in fertilizer costs".
"We gave compliance advice and issued nine notices requiring non-compliant farms to install controls, or complete works to better manage their risks. We have also issued seven fines totaling more than $20,000 with more likely to come.
"Everyone has to act to protect the environment. Dairy effluent cannot be allowed to be discharged to waterways. It is high in substances that may be toxic and pose a risk to the environment and human health.
"The majority of non-compliance issues concerned dairy effluent ponds that were full or overflowing into paddocks and down into waterways, broken or ineffective equipment like pumps and irrigation systems and not having an effluent management plan in place. Some farms even had pipes directly discharging into waterways."
Ms Bandiera said nearly half the inspected farms were expected to receive some kind of sanction, and more than two thirds would receive a notice to make specific improvements.
"There are assistance schemes, guidance and advice links available through EPA's website, and other agencies EPA works closely with such as Agriculture Victoria. This can assist farmers so they can make the necessary improvements, retain valuable nutrients on their farms, and importantly for businesses, save them money while protecting the environment. We'll continue with our inspection program and take strong regulatory action if we find non-compliance," Ms Bandiera said.
