EPA Victoria has fined two waste transport companies more than $20,000 following separate incidents involving the illegal dumping of industrial waste at a property in Wollert.
Skip bin operator Vic Metro Bin Hire Pty Ltd and earthmoving contractor AK Khouzam Pty Ltd were each fined $10,176 after industrial waste was illegally dumped at a property on Bodycoats Road, Wollert.
EPA Victoria Executive Director Operations Rachel Gualano said rogue waste transporters could charge customers the full cost of lawful disposal before illegally dumping waste and keeping the difference.
“They have been trashing our environment for profit, and we are putting a stop to it,” Gualano said.
“EPA has gathered intelligence on trucks dumping at multiple sites and more action will be forthcoming.
“We have these companies squarely in our sights.”
Victorian environmental laws require waste to be transported to facilities authorised by EPA Victoria to receive and safely manage it. Waste transporters are responsible for ensuring the facilities they use are lawful and authorised to accept the type of waste being carried.
EPA Victoria said illegal dumping can contaminate land and waterways, create fire hazards and leave costly clean-up liabilities across Melbourne’s fringe.
A clean-up order has been issued to the administrator of the Wollert site.
EPA Victoria said individuals and businesses involved in waste transport should expect increased scrutiny, while property owners are encouraged to secure vacant land and report suspicious activity.
The fines form part of EPA Victoria’s crackdown on illegal waste dumping and rogue waste transporters.
By holding illegal waste site operators and transporters to account, and supporting lawful waste management operators, EPA Victoria said it is working to protect Victorian communities and the environment from illegal dumping.