EPA Victoria is conducting targeted inspections of concrete batching businesses in the southwest this week, to ensure they are preventing hazards to local waterways.
The campaign follows similar operations around the state involving commercial car washes and dairy farms.
EPA officers are targeting small to medium businesses in industrial estates to prevent the chemical spills and inappropriate waste management that can harm our creeks and rivers.
EPA Southwest Regional Manager Tanya McAteer says they’re looking for typical risks of concrete batching plants: dust, noise and contaminated wash-water and sediment entering stormwater drains.
“High volumes of alkaline wash-water from a concrete batching plant can escape into local waterways, threatening native fish, invertebrates and plant life,” Ms McAteer said.
“Dust from vehicle movement or poor management of raw materials can affect the air or waterways, and chemicals that are badly managed can result in releases off-site and into ground water,” she said.
The inspections will also focus on ensuring businesses are compliant with their responsibilities under the General Environmental Duty (GED) that came into effect with the new Environment Protection Act in July 2021.
“It is important that companies take their environmental responsibilities seriously so that their activities don’t impact the surrounding environment,” Ms McAteer said.
“In the past, these inspections focused on providing guidance and advice, but businesses have had two years to get a proper understanding of their responsibility to control risks and the website offers a wealth of guidance for small to medium businesses on what they need to do,” she said.
“If we come across non-compliance now, and there are signs there’s been no effort made, our approach will be less forgiving.”
Businesses are encouraged to contact EPA for guidance to check they’re meeting their obligations, or find advice tailored to their industry at epa.vic.gov.au/for-business/find-your-industry
Members of the public can report pollution by calling EPA’s 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842 or providing details online at www.epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/reporting-pollution
