A PIT full of burning industrial waste found at a Macedon Ranges property last year has resulted in a $1976 fine.
Shortly before 10pm on November 12, seven CFA units from Woodend, Bolinda, Riddells Creek, and Clarkefield responded to reports of a fire in Monegeetta.
Upon arrival, firefighters discovered that the blaze was the result of a pit full of burning vehicle batteries, mattresses, car parts, fuel tanks, metal crates, and other scrap.
Victoria Police was then called to the scene, who forwarded the matter onto Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria to handle the investigation.
EPA then issued a fine to a woman at the property for unlawful deposit of the waste, alongside an order to clean it up.
EPA Northwest Regional Manager Paul Ratajczyk said that while some of the waste could have been recycled, the rest should have gone to landfill.
“Dumping material like this in a roughly constructed pit pollutes the soil and very likely the nearest waterway, which presents a risk to human health and the environment,” he said.
“And burning it adds toxic smoke, increasing the risk to members of the public and the firefighters responding to protect the community.
“Everyone must make sure their waste goes to a place that can lawfully accept it. Dumping like this can be reported by anyone, and EPA doesn’t hesitate to take action.”
The cost of depositing the waste at one of the region’s council-owned resource recovery facilities, located in Kyneton, Romsey, and Woodend, would likely have cost significantly less than the fine.
While the facilities charge Macedon Ranges residents $38 per mattress, regardless of size, no charge is issued for e-waste batteries, car bodies and parts (excluding tyres, which are $10 each), and scrap metal.
The order to clean up the burnt waste and take it to a licensed facility for disposal, however, often exceeds the cost of the accompanying fine.
Although the fire was not lit during the fire danger period, which began on November 25 for the Macedon Ranges area, the unregistered burn-off and unnecessary callout of seven units—which arguably left surrounding towns with reduced fire protection—did not result in a fine.
To report pollution, contact EPA’s 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842 or visit www.epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/reporting-pollution.
