THE Environment Protection Authority Victoria has secured management of an illegal dump site near Kaniva.
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There are 20 underground dump sites of suspected industrial waste at the 1400-hectare property on the Kaniva-Edenhope Road. The EPA first visited the site in July 2018.
In a statement, the EPA said it would "plan for the ongoing safety of the site and understand the requirements for the eventual clean-up".
In August the EPA issued the owner of the site Graham White with a clean-up notice requiring he secured the site, installed signage and did not attempt to excavate any of the dump sites on the property.
The notice also ordered the carrying out of an Environmental Site Assessment, supervised by EPA.
In November the EPA issued a show cause notice asking Mr White why it should not use its regulatory powers to step in to take over management and clean-up of the site's environmental issues.
EPA north west regional manager Scott Pigdon said Mr White failed to show cause and the EPA took management of the site on Tuesday.
"This is an important step forward in the process of ensuring the ongoing safety of this property and its rehabilitation," he said.
Dr Pigdon reiterated that risk on the site will be minimised and that EPA will only excavate when conditions are appropriate.
The EPA will host a briefing to Kaniva residents on Wednesday at the Kaniva Shire Hall between 5pm to 6.30pm.
People are encouraged to register their interest in the briefing by emailing northwest.mailbox@epa.vic.gov.au.
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