THE EPA has vowed to come down hard on skip bin and transfer stations from across Williamstown, Brimbank, Werribee and Hume after conducting inspections at numerous sites.
Visits from the Environment Protection Authority’s Illegal Dumping Strike Force to sites in Sunshine North, Ravenhall, Laverton North and Point Cook identified a range of illegal dumping including stockpiling and dumping of industrial waste to poor storm water, chemical and dust management.
EPA’s director of environmental regulation Chris Webb said the inspection of sites was a result of tip-offs by concerned local residents who rang the 24-hour pollution hotline.
The strike force also inspected sites in Campbellfield, Dandenong, Dingley Village, Mordialloc and Wantirna.
Mr Webb said during the inspections the EPA sought to educate and inform operators on industry-based expectations, including clean-up, security and management of their land.
“While the bulk of inspected operators are doing the right thing, there are a handful that are not,” he said.
“Businesses can expect EPA to act when they blatantly breach environmental regulations and place legitimate waste mangers at a commercial disadvantage.”
The EPA will continue with its inspection and education programs throughout the year.
