Cleanaway Pty Ltd has been convicted and fined $15,000 over missed deadlines and badly managed waste stockpiles at its Brooklyn facility.
Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria’s investigation began after officers responded to two small fires at the Old Geelong Road Waste and Recovery Centre in early 2021.
EPA officers found stockpiles of wood chips, scrap timber and mixed waste that were in breach of safety policies.
Stockpiles were too high and too close together, the EPA said.
The company had also failed to meet EPA -imposed deadlines for fire risk and management plans.
In January 2021, approximately 65 firefighters responded to a fire at the waste management centre on Old Geelong Road. Later in the year in August, approximately 30 firefighters responded to another fire at the Brooklyn facility, which caused a smoke alert to be issued for a dozen suburbs.
Cleanaway Pty Ltd faced the Broadmeadows Magistrates Court on August 10 where it was fined $15,000.
The company was also ordered to pay the EPA an amount of $7,344.
EPA western metropolitan regional manager Stephen Lansdell said the case is a clear warning to businesses.
”It is critical how you store and stockpile waste. You must prevent any fire risks. All businesses must understand the importance of meeting EPA deadlines and notice requirements,” he said.
“These policies are there to prevent catastrophic fires. They limit the size of piles and give firefighters the chance to trap the fire while it is still small.”
EPA conducts hundreds of proactive inspections and takes 20,000 calls a year from the public as part of fire prevention programs.
“The community in Melbourne’s western suburbs expects much better and does not deserve to be put at any risk from more fires. If you see any pollution or have any concerns please report them to us,” Mr Lansdell said.
Members of the public can report pollution online at epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/reporting-pollution
