Stawell Regional Landfill will be requesting a review into the Environment Protection Agency’s decision to fine the operator more than $15,000 for breaching two conditions of its license.
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Under sections of its EPA licence Statewide Recycling Services was required to cover over any waste it received at the end of each day and also required to ensure waste stockpiled in two cells did not exceed 9000m3.
But EPA north west acting manager Danny Childs said a licence compliance visit to the site at Pomonal Road in February found neither condition had been complied with.
“The officers found waste was exposed in a poorly covered overfill area, despite the licence stating that by the end of each day waste must be covered with a layer of soil of at least 30 centimetres thick or using another method of cover approved by EPA,” he said.
The waste stockpiled in two conditioned cells had also exceeded its 9000m3 limit by more than 2000m3.
The breaches resulted in two separate $7773 penalty infringement notices.
Statewide Recycling managing director Nick Kephala said the site respected the role EPA played in the community, but was disappointed to receive the fines and would be requesting a review.
“We operate the Stawell Landfill in accordance with the best practice guidelines set out by EPA and we are very firmly of the belief that we do it to a higher standard than most landfills in Victoria,” he said.
The review will be the second time in nine months Stawell Landfill had appealed fines issued by EPA.
The site was slapped with $15,000 worth of fines after exceeding landfill gas levels and failing to survey an asbestos cell in August last year.
Mr Childs said it was disappointing the site continued to breach its license conditions.
“The continuous breaches highlights a disregard for the law and their environmental obligations,” he said.
But Mr Kephala said the breaches had no impact on the environment.
“Our preference is that EPA focus on matters that would actually improve the environment such as illegal dumping of waste and illegal transport and disposal of asbestos, both of which occur in western Victoria,” he said.
EPA warned they would continue to inspect the site and enforce action if further breaches were identified.