EPA Victoria has fined a Byrneside company more than $9,000 for disposing of waste by burning at the company’s Midland Highway premises.
EPA officers responded to the Selective Demolitions premises on 1 April 2023 in response to a fire attended by fire crews earlier in the morning. They found a stockpile of waste, with sections still smoking.
EPA Northeast Regional Manager Renee Palmer says the company’s actions were disappointing and dangerous.
“EPA officers found the Byrneside premises did not have adequate fire suppression equipment, resulting in the waste pile smouldering for a number of days” Ms Palmer said.
“Investigations are continuing into how such a large volume of combustible and mixed waste was able to be deposited at the premises, where an EPA permission may be required,” she said.
EPA has fined Selective Demolitions Pty Ltd $9,246 for unlawfully depositing waste (via burning) of more than 1,000 litres at the premises, and instructed the company to remove the stockpiled waste to a facility that is properly licensed to accept it.
The stockpile was approximately 75 meters long, 16m wide and up to 5m high, consisting of tree branches, plywood, particle board, scrap timber, painted wood, sawdust and other materials including plastics, electrical wires, foam and broken bricks.
Under the Environment Protection Act 2017 and the Infringements Act 2006, the operator 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
