EPA ‘blitz’ leaves firms facing fines

Kim Waters
TWO Geelong companies face $6000 fines after a surprise Enviroment Protection Authority blitz this month, according to an EPA spokesperson.
The spokesperson said the companies had committed “clear breaches” of their EPA operating licences.
The environmental watchdog was now conducting an investigation “with a view to possible enforcement action”, the spokesperson said.
Officers also identified threats to the environment at two other sites where inadequate containment systems risked spills and run-off contaminating water.
“EPA identified two sites with environmental risks which EPA will be following up in addition to the two sites with clear breaches,” the spokeperson said.
“Types of enforcement actions vary but it might range from the issue of a notice to, in serious cases, a company fine of almost $6000.”
The spokesperson declined to name the 11 businesses involved in the blitz but said they included landfills, composters, cement works and companies working with chemicals.
EPA south west manager Gavan Mathieson said officers used “an element of surprise” during the blitz.
“Every site in the south-west (of Victoria) has been notified of our planned operation but won’t necessarily know we’re visiting until we’re on their doorstep,” he said.
“EPA licenses cover the operations of a site and set operating conditions, waste discharge limits and waste acceptance conditions. It’s expected that sites operate to the conditions set out in the licence and manage their environmental responsibilities properly or risk enforcement action.”
Mr Mathieson said the blitz included inspection of waste containment, treatment systems, stormwater protection, litter control and environmental management practices.