A construction firm has been fined more than $8,000 for sending streams of sediment, turbid water and a haze of excavation dust along a busy Melbourne street.
Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) issued the fine to C.D.L. Constructions after Investigating Officers observed tracks of soil and mud along Franklin St and footpath, and highly turbid water flowing into stormwater drains from hosing the street beside an excavation site.
EPA Metro Region Manager Dan Hunt said that it was “a disappointing example of construction firms failing to protect the environment during construction activities.”
The incident created a mess along Franklin Street in Melbourne’s CBD, and potentially risked the safety of pedestrians and road users during the busy Christmas period.
Construction workers hosed down the sediment on the street and footpath, creating streams of turbid water.
“Pedestrians were forced to walk around streaks of mud and cars had to drive carefully over the muddy street.
The incident was likely to have impacted the Yarra River, as runoff from the street made its way into stormwater drains.
“The turbid water was hosed into stormwater drains and ended up sending excavation sediment into stormwater drains connected to the Yarra River.
“Construction firms are required to treat this kind of runoff to remove sediment to avoid blocking our stormwater drains or dispose of the water to sewers in agreement with the local water corporation.” Mr Hunt said.
For allowing the soil and sediment to be tracked onto Franklin St and washed into the drain, EPA has issued C.D.L. Constructions with an $8,060 fine.
The incident occurred on 18 December 2018.
In response to the incident, C.D.L. Constructions advised that it has revised their environmental management plans.
Under the Environment Protection Act 1970 and the Infringements Act 2008, the company has the right to have the decision to issue the infringement notice reviewed or alternatively to have the matter heard and determined by a court.
Members of the public can report pollution via EPA’s 24-hour hotline, 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842) or the EPA website www.epa.vic.gov.au
