The illegal dumping of nearly a tonne of asbestos, along with other demolition waste, has cost a company and its director a $10,000 fine each in the Wangaratta Magistrates Court.
Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) charged Hunt Environmental Pty Ltd and its Director and Secretary, Robert Shaw Hunt, of Beechworth, after the waste was discovered at Everton Upper, in winery country east of Wangaratta.
EPA Manager, Major Investigations, Dallas Clowes says the investigation began when a member of the public spotted the industrial waste in a pine plantation.
“The company had obtained the waste during demolition work, and the Director admitted to transporting it there for storage and sorting to save money,” Mr Clowes said.
The company provided asbestos removal, demolition and environmental services in North East Victoria and New South Wales, and when EPA officers inspected the site, they found asbestos in black plastic bags, a metal drum labelled ‘creosote’ and building materials such as sheet iron, plasterboard, carpet, underlay and timber.
They took samples of the material in the plastic bags and were able to confirm there was approximately 800 kg of two different types of asbestos.
The site was not licensed to accept industrial waste, and the owner of the property was unaware of the dumping.
“EPA issued the company with a Clean Up Notice, giving it the opportunity to clean up the mess and avoid a fine, but the deadline passed and the waste had not been removed,” Mr Clowes said.
The company and the Director both pleaded guilty in the Wangaratta Magistrates Court and were convicted. Magistrate Peter Dunn said that this was a serious matter where the need for general deterrence was high.
“There is a clear warning in this for anyone who engages in illegal dumping of industrial waste, that any passing member of the public can easily report it, and EPA will not hesitate to hold the offender to account,” Mr Clowes said.
“EPA takes a zero tolerance attitude to the illegal disposal of construction and demolition materials at sites that are not licensed to receive them,” he said.
The dumping was reported to EPA in September 2018. EPA officers inspected the site in October 2018, and again in December 2018, then issued a Clean Up Notice in January 2019. An inspection in April 2019 showed the waste had not been removed.
Hunt Environmental Pty Ltd and Mr Hunt were each charged with depositing industrial waste at a site not licensed to accept it, in contravention of section 27A(2)(a) of the Environment Protection Act 1970.
The waste has since been removed from the property.
Members of the public can report pollution by calling EPA’s 24 hour hotline on 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842).
At A1 Tyrepower we have a professional and committed team who take their job of keeping our customers safe on the road extremely seriously. We aim to provide a service that exceeds expectations to all our customers from large commercial organisations, fleet vehicles, farm and industrial customers to fellow local residents. When customers purchase a set of 4 tyres from A1 Tyrepower they receive a service booklet which entitles them to free rotations and balances every 5,000km for the life of those tyres. Free tyre safety and pressure checks are offered to all customers at any time.
We guarantee to give our customers great value for money on quality products and the professional, efficient and personalised service that they deserve and have come to expect from the team at A1 Tyrepower. We also offer Zip Pay and Zip Money as an easy and convenient payment option.
We enjoy being involved in and giving back to the local community. If we are able to assist in building and strengthening community bonds within the business and wider community we are always pleased to. We understand the importance of supporting other locally owned and operated businesses and believe that, locals supporting locals is what it is all about.
A-1 Tyrepower are proud to be a Sponsor of Business Wangaratta and are always there to contribute a $100.00 Gift Voucher to give away at every Business After Hours Events
Maybe it’s just a small project or maybe it’s the entire house. We can help you with each step along the way to end up with a job you are completely proud of. Not just with your colour choices but making sure you choose exactly the right paint, the right gear and all the little tips that make a big difference.
Haymes Paint Shop Wangaratta are proud to be Sponsors of Business Wangaratta and contribute a $50.00 voucher to every Business After Hours Event
We believe in the importance of swimming education from a young age, and the ongoing benefits of swimming throughout life. Our centre provides an ideal setting for people of all ages to learn to swim or simply maintain your fitness with regular exercise.
We’ve come a long way from our humble beginnings of teaching children to swim in our backyard pool. Since opening the centre in 1998, with a pool designed specifically for learning, our focus has been on education. Our pool is salt water – with the temperature kept pleasantly warm, conducive to a learning environment.
Healthy bodies and growing minds need to stay fueled and hydrated. Whether you’re here for lessons, enjoying a swim with the family or staying fit with a few laps, our kiosk is always open with nourishing drinks and fresh snacks to refuel.
More than Swimming are proud to be Sponsors of Business Wangaratta and contribute a $50.00 Voucher to every Business After Hours Event
Intermezzo is so much more than just a café, Bar & Restaurant. Located on the Corner of Ford & Ovens Streets, we are part of the Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre and our aim was to create a space for family and friends to gather, relax and enjoy great food.
We are open from 6.30am, 7 days a week for a coffee and Brekky, or Lunch with a Cocktail or wine till 4.00pm. We are also sometimes open later into the evening when a performance is on with some pre show meals and drinks.
We have indoor and outdoor dining areas including our relaxing lawn area, our you can relax on the Deck and just enjoy the outdoor dining experience, Located close to Wangaratta’s CBD, it’s walking distance from all your favourite shopping.
Intermezzo are proud to be a Sponsor of Business Wangaratta and contribute a $20.00 Meal Voucher to every Business After Hours Event
For over 100 years Wangaratta RSL Sub-Branch have been serving the local community, veterans and their families.
Starting from our humble beginnings on Reid St Wangaratta for the last 65 years, 2019 saw the opening of our new venue at the site of the old Sydney Hotel, which the building still pays homage too.
One thing will never change though is that our commitment to community service, hospitality and most importantly supporting our veteran community will never change and is stronger than ever.
Wangaratta RSL is proud to be a Sponsor of Business Wangaratta, and contribute a $25.00 Gift Voucher to the Business Wangaratta After Hours Events
Salt therapy is a natural therapy that has been practiced for over 100 years. It involves relaxing in a specialised room filled with dry salt particles and can help cleanse the airways and skin, as well as aid recovery and general wellbeing.
All our centres have 3 rooms, a Private, Adult and Kids room. All rooms are designed to mimic salt caves. We have a halogenerator that grinds up pharmaceutical medical grade sea salt into a dry aerosol and pumps it into the room.
Wangaratta RSL is proud to be a Sponsor of Business Wangaratta, and contribute a $25.00 Gift Voucher to the Business Wangaratta After Hours Events