A Greenvale man has been fined $1,100 without conviction and ordered to pay EPA Victoria $350 in costs over his noisy Volkswagen.
It’s the first time a prosecution like this has gone to court under the new Environment Protection Act, and the case might not be over – the man is still responsible for having the vehicle tested and EPA has more legal options available, including suspending the vehicle’s registration.
The vehicle was reported to EPA by local police for being excessively noisy, after they heard it being driven along Roxburgh Park Drive, Roxburgh Park, on 2 September, last year.
The driver was issued with a vehicle testing notice requiring him to have it tested by an EPA-appointed vehicle tester and then send EPA a Certificate of Compliance to prove it meets vehicle noise regulations.
The man failed to provide the proper documents, but entered a plea of guilty when the charge came up before the Melbourne Magistrate’s Court.
Members of the public can report pollution including excessive noise from vehicles, by calling EPA’s 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842 or providing details online at epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/reporting-pollution
