EPA has fined a Preston company more than $8,000 over unresolved dust issues on an industrial site at Ravenhall, just a few streets away from the residential area of Deer Park.
EPA Western Metropolitan Regional Manager Stephen Lansdell says the company failed to comply with EPA's instructions to improve dust suppression at its Westwood Drive premises.
"EPA officers found significant dust and sediment tracking from the Economix Pty Ltd premises onto Fuller Road, Ravenhall, in December last year," Mr Lansdell said.
"We issued a legally enforceable notice requiring Economix to modify their dust management controls to reduce the build up and prevent dust from migrating beyond the premises boundary," he said.
"The deadline on that notice arrived, our officers returned to find there were still significant amounts of dust tracking from the premises onto Fuller Road, and EPA issued the company with a fine."
Economix Pty Ltd, of High St, Preston, has been fined $8,261 for failing to comply with EPA's Pollution Abatement Notice (PAN).
"Every business in Victoria must understand its responsibilities to the environment and the community. We know air pollution in the west is a very real issue and our community expect to see real action from businesses to prevent it," Mr Lansdell said.
"In this case, the company had an official instruction to improve its dust suppression measures and a clear deadline, all involving a premises surrounded by other businesses and only a couple of streets from people's homes," he said.
"The company had a chance to clean up its act and avoid a fine, but failed to follow EPA's instructions."
EPA urges members of the public to report all types of pollution to its 24 hour hotline on 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Under the Environment Protection Act 1970 and the Infringements Act 2006, the company has the right to have the decision to issue the infringement notice reviewed or alternatively to have the matter heard and determined by a court.
