By Molly Magennis
Boral Resources (Vic) Pty Ltd has been ordered to fund two environmental projects worth $50,000 each after an oil spill into wetlands near Williamstown.
The Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) put forth the recommendation to the Melbourne Magistrates Court, which found it would be more appropriate than fining the company.
EPA and the company originally agreed for Boral to contribute $80,000 in total to the two environmental projects, and presented the proposal to the court.
However after consideration of the projects, the magistrate considered it appropriate that Boral contribute a total of $100,000, the EPA said in a statement.
The EPA charged the company with pollution of waters and causing an environmental hazard after the oil spill in November, 2019, which affected Paisley Drain, Paisley Challis wetlands and Jawbone Marine reserve.
The two environmental projects the company will be required to fund involve an investigation of Aboriginal cultural values associated with the area and protection and revegetation work for the Paisley Challis wetlands.
The company must make two $50,000 payments within 30 days, in which they must provide proof to both the EPA and the court within another seven days.
Boral operates an asphalt depot and storage facility at 91 Champion Road, Williamstown, where it stores various types of hydrocarbons used in the asphalting process.
