Failure to remove piles of industrial waste at Truganina has cost a Queensland company a $5,548 fine, after EPA Victoria ordered a clean up to prevent fires and litter escaping the site.
EPA officers ordered the clean up in June 2022, but their follow up visit in September found the mess was still there.
Along with loose waste scattered around the property, there was an estimated 90 cubic metres of material including construction and demolition waste, old furniture, tyres, timber pallets and bags of household rubbish.
EPA Western Metropolitan Regional Manager Stephen Lansdell says the company, The Precinct Truganina Pty Ltd, must pay the fine and is still responsible for removing the hazards.
"A regulatory notice from EPA is not there to be ignored. This Waste Abatement Notice gave clear instructions and a deadline. The company had the chance to avoid a fine by complying with those instructions," Mr Lansdell said.
EPA's instructions required the company to take the waste for disposal at a properly licensed facility and block entry points that might allow further dumping at the premises.
"Instead, EPA officers returned to find the waste was still there, much of it covered in weeds," he said.
"The EPA website has plenty of advice on the proper disposal of different types of waste; some can be recycled, some goes to landfill, and some types require specialist disposal for the protection of the community and the environment," Mr Lansdell said.
Under the Environment Protection Act 2017 and the Infringements Act 2006, the company has the right to have the infringement notice reviewed or be considered by a court.
Members of the public can report dumped waste and other pollution by calling EPA's 24 hour hotline on 1300 372 842 or providing details online at epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/reporting-pollution
