By LAURA WAKELY
THE HEALTH Services Commissioner was alerted after residents discovered medical records among illegally dumped rubbish in Sunshine North.
Residents contacted Brimbank City Council after they noticed a tip truck dump a large load of rubbish in Halong Dve earlier this month.
The rubbish included documents from a medical clinic in Meadow Heights and residents allege other waste was also dumped.
Health Services Commissioner Beth Wilson said an investigation had found contractors were responsible for dumping the records and that the medical practice was unaware the records had been removed.
“They’ve assured us it won’t happen again and we’re satisfied with that,” Ms Wilson said.
She said there were penalties for practices that failed to dispose of medical records correctly when there was “a persistent breach” of the law, including fines of up to $100,000.
Council’s General Manager of City Development Stephen Sully said council was also investigating the dumped rubbish and would take “appropriate legal action if offenders are identified”.
“Clearing dumped rubbish results is a very large annual cost to council and where offences can be proven or witnesses are willing to attend court, council will prosecute to the full letter of the law,” Mr Sully said.
