A Mitcham concrete batching business has been fined by EPA Victoria for breaching the Environment Protection Act.
Hy-Tec Industries (Victoria) Pty Ltd was brought to EPA's attention by community members concerned about sediment clogging drains near the Hy-Tec facility.
Officers inspected on 25 August and found Hy-Tec had inadequate and ineffective controls in place to stop sediment overflowing and being tracked off the site on truck wheels.
That concrete-laden sediment was entering the drain system as well as fouling Thornton Crescent and Rooks Road and on footpaths.
"Those drains feed into Gardiners Creek which then flows to Blackburn Lake," said EPA North Metropolitan Regional Manager Chloe Barnett.
"Sediment in the waterway can damage the environment and cause harm to the aquatic ecosystem. Concrete contamination can lead to alkaline waters which is particularly bad for waterways.
"The only thing that should be going down our stormwater drains is rain. Hy-Tec has to manage the risk their business poses to the environment.
"On this occasion the fine is $2,000 and we will be issuing an improvement notice. We will be monitoring their progress in meeting the requirements of that notice and will act if they fall short."
