A Melton trucking company has been fined close to $8000 for an oil spill caused by truck oil being stored in old washing machines.
The Environment Protection Authority Victoria fined Mark & Raffaelina O’Donnell Transport $7773 after locals complained about oil spilling into Ryans Creek.
The Holland Drive operation was inspected in May by EPA officers, who found oil discharging from the company’s premises into a stormwater drain feeding into the creek.
EPA metro manager Peter Kerr said officers were told by a company director that used oil from trucks had been stored in damaged washing machines and rainwater had caused the oil to overflow.
“This was an entirely predictable outcome and showed a disregard for the potential harm to the public and the environment,” Mr Kerr said.
“The company has acted well below a standard that the community would find acceptable causing environmental damage to the creek and the surrounding soil … a fine is appropriate.”
Melbourne Water has conducted clean-up operations.
“The local community has acted very responsibly in contacting EPA to report this issue,” Mr Kerr said. “I would encourage everyone to be vigilant and to call EPA if they think there could be pollution issues.”
