EPA hits City with notices over methane leaks

TIP OFF: The state's environmental watchdog is monitoring the methane leaks.

THE STATE’S environmental watchdog has hit City Hall with two pollution abatement notices over methane leaks in a South Geelong industrial estate.

The EPA said the leaks from a former tip under the light-industrial estate were recorded in seven buildings this week.

The leaks have prompted authorities to form a monitoring group including emergency services.
Council city services general manager William Tieppo said public safety was the “number one priority” for managing the leak in the estate, off Barwon Tce.
Mr Tieppo said the monitoring group included CFA, police, WorkSafe and EPA representatives.
An abnormally low-pressure weather system passing over Geelong seemed to have forced more gas out of the site than usual, he said.