EPA fined Hazel Oaks Holsteins Pty Ltd under Section 115 of the Environment Protection Act 2017 for depositing more than 1,000 litres of diary effluent into the creek.
EPA officers inspected the premises on 27 August during a special operation focusing on effluent management on dairy farms. They found two effluent ponds near the milking pad, one solids pond that was nearly full and one with liquid overflowing only 30 metres uphill from the creek.
During the inspection, the officers took water samples from the creek, they found a large pile of green waste and silage wrap next to the creek and two raised fuel tanks and several bulk containers stored on bare earth without the required bund around them to trap any spills.
They also found a silage pit 15 metres from the creek that was emitting a strong odour with dark leachate draining into the creek.
Along with the fine, EPA has issued the company with two Improvement Notices that require it to install controls to prevent silage leachate from entering the creek and dairy effluent from overflowing from the ponds.
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 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
