A joint operation between EPA Victoria and Mount Alexander Shire Council will surprise local builders, developers and contractors with an inspection as part of a campaign stamping out stormwater pollution.
EPA Northwest Regional Manager Paul Ratajczyk says its everyone’s legal responsibility to prevent pollution.
The inspections – starting next week – are similar to ones previously held run in other regional areas including Gisborne, Mildura, Bass Coast, Shepparton, Bairnsdale, Ballarat, Wodonga, Geelong and Bendigo.
EPA officers will be looking at typical construction site pollution sources including dust, mud and sediment, which are too often allowed to escape site boundaries and into stormwater drains.
EPA Northwest Regional Manager Paul Ratajczyk says they will also be looking for sources of pollution.
“Like cementing, paint, and plastering residues generated from building equipment clean-up that can cause runoff into stormwater drains,” Paul said.
“Most businesses want to do the right thing, and we are happy to provide compliance advice to assist, but our priority is the environment, and we can step in with official notices or fines if business or contractors don’t do the right thing and manage their waste to prevent harm to the environment.”
Council officers will focus on ensuring requirements are being met for building sites under the Shire’s Community Local Law 2023, including secure site fencing, suitable refuse and sanitary facilities, and asset protection measures.
Mount Alexander Shire Council Director of Infrastructure and Development Michael Annear says the shire is committed to ensuring our environment is protected and that builders operating in Mount Alexander Shire are abiding by local laws.
“We’ll continue to collaborate with other authorities – such as the EPA – to enforce compliance and improve understanding,” Michael said.
The EPA says that Victoria’s General Environmental Duty (GED) makes it everyone’s legal responsibility to take reasonable actions to prevent pollution.
