Environment Protection Authority (EPA) officers are investigating businesses across the state, including Geelong, after discovering an illegal dump full of old tyres.
The illegal dump at Lockwood South, near Bendigo, led EPA investigators to a network of other properties and tyre retailers with possible connections to the scam.
Regional operations director Dan Hunt said close to $30,000 in fines and nine official warnings were handed out during the operation.
Seventy businesses have also been required to apply for official permissions for tyre stockpiles, along with 18 follow-up investigations.
“Businesses that thought illegal dumping was the cheap option for disposing of old tyres discovered it wasn’t going to be cheap at all,” Mr Hunt said.
“Break the law, and your waste tyres will be out there somewhere, waiting to be discovered, and we will be able to trace them back to your business.
“Under Victoria’s environmental law, it is very clear that all parties have legal responsibilities to ensure Reportable Priority Waste is sent for lawful disposal.
“If you have more than five cubic metres, you’ll need a license or registration, and when waste tyres leave the site, they must be registered online with EPA Waste Tracker.”
Illegally dumped, buried, or burnt waste tyres pose environmental risks, including contaminating the land and waterways when they decay or releasing toxic smoke and liquids if they’re burnt.
People are urged to dispose of waste tyres responsibly at authorised facilities and report any suspicious waste tyre activities on 1300 372 842.
