A WILLIAMSTOWN company has been fined $5506 after a concerned resident reported it for spraying heavy metals into Port Phillip Bay last year.
The resident phoned Environment Protection Authority after spotting workers from Waterway Constructions sand blasting a barge while tied to a dock in Ann St, Williamstown, in October.
Investigations revealed the company was using a blasting material known as Black Beauty, a granulated furnace slag containing iron, copper, lead, nickel and zinc.
EPA west metropolitan regional manager Sylvia Armand accused the company of cutting corners.
“On this occasion the company has chosen not to follow its normal procedures of blasting boats in dry dock and has paid the price,” she said. Ms Armand said it was not known how much of the material had entered the bay but said traces of it had been found 30 metres from the barge that was being blasted.
“It is clearly evident that undertaking this sort of work in the water has the potential to have an environmental impact,” Ms Armand said. Waterway Constructions has 28 days to pay to fine or the matter will be dealt with in court.
