By Sumeyya Ilanbey
The operators of the Ravenhall landfill could face legal action after rubbish was strewn across neighbouring properties recently.
During wild weather earlier this month, garbage escaped from the Cleanaway-operated Melbourne Regional Landfill and on to surrounding land and streets.
Winds were measured at 80km/h, but Environment Protection Authority chief executive Nial Finegan said those speeds had been forecast and appropriate action should have been taken to ensure no rubbish escaped the site.
As part of its licence to operate the landfill, Cleanaway must ensure no rubbish escapes its boundary.
Stop the Tip campaigner Marion Martin said she was alerted to the “disgusting” sight by another resident on August 10.
Ms Martin headed to the landfill, armed with her camera, to take pictures and notify EPA of Cleanaway’s breach of its licence.
Six other complaints were made to the EPA.
“This [rubbish escape] occurs regularly,”
Ms Martin said. “If you chuck a cigarette butt out of your car or a tissue and somebody dobs you in, you’ll get a hefty fine. But you’ve got a big company like Cleanaway that has all these restrictions and still doesn’t comply with its licence conditions.”
Mr Finegan said he and local residents were aghast at what they’d seen.
“EPA was very disappointed by the escape of litter at the Ravenhall [landfill] and took immediate action, with an officer on site as soon as possible on the day and the issuing of a statutory notice,”
Mr Finegan said.
EPA’s pollution abatement notice requires Cleanaway to repair the fence along Middle Road.
“The matter will be considered against EPA’s Compliance and Enforcement Policy,” Mr Finegan said. “This allows for a range of sanctions depending on culpability and environmental harm.”
If found guilty of contravening pollution abatement notices, Cleanaway, can be taken to court and fined.
Cleanaway was contacted for comment.
