A construction company working on a project that advertises itself as building 'the most liveable suburb in the world", failed to control its sediment run off despite warnings from EPA Victoria, earning it fines of nearly $16,000.
Ironside Construction works on the Yarra Bend project (YarraBend: Off the Plan Townhouses, Apartments & Property Melbourne), just 200 metres from the Yarra River on the Chandler Highway.
EPA officers inspected the project and found there were limited controls in place to manage the mud and dirt being collected on trucks as they moved in and out of the construction site.
"What measures were in place weren't being used. The result was mud tracked up and down the road outside the site entrance. It appears they never considered how to manage such an obvious issue and even after our officers pointed it out to them, they failed to act to address it," EPA North Metropolitan Melbourne Regional Manager Jeremy Settle said.
"Stormwater drains will collect that mud which will then run into the river. They failed to put in the necessary controls or they were insufficient to handle the task. Ironside, like all of us, have a duty to act to prevent pollution. They were given a chance to rectify the error but failed to do so and EPA believes it is appropriate they be fined."
Ironside was given advice on controlling the issue by installing additional controls, such as truck washing, extra crushed rock laid over dirt areas and temporarily concreting parts of the premises.
