Businesses in the Macedon Ranges area including Woodend, Kyneton and Gisborne need to better understand their responsibilities to the environment, says EPA Victoria.
EPA snap inspections of 34 businesses in the area last week found issues that resulted in eight notices being sent and compliance advice given on 45 occasions.
Some of the non-compliance issues identified included risk to stormwater drains, liquid and dangerous goods storage. Other issues related to inadequate bunding, how and where waste was stored, hydrocarbon (fuel and oil) storage and its proximity to stormwater drains, a lack of awareness of potential impacts from onsite activities, sediment and runoff leaving site and failure to comply with waste duties related to disposal of reportable priority waste.
EPA Northwest Regional Manager Dr Scott Pigdon said officers also gave advice about the Environment Protection Act 2017, in particular the General Environmental Duty (GED). The GED requires all Victorians to take reasonable actions to reduce the risk of harm from their activities to human health and the environment, from pollution or waste.
"Our inspections looked at how the businesses were managing waste so that it could not escape to a stormwater drain and pollute waterways. Many businesses just need a bit of education and advice, but where they persist in non-compliance, we take further enforcement action and that could include financial penalties if they won't listen," he said.
The EPA website explains the new law and has advice documents for specific duties and industries, at epa.vic.gov.au/for-business/new-laws-and-your-business/general-environmental-duty
EPA has information available on line:
Managing liquids
An information video explaining the General Environmental Duty is available at https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/get-involved/past-events/the-role-of-industry-and-business-in-protecting-the-environment
