By AAP
3:35pm Apr 30, 2019
Taxpayers will fork out an initial $30 million to clean up a dangerous waste stockpile in Victoria, which authorities say could take years.
The Environment Protection Authority has used its powers to take over management of the stockpile at Lara, near Geelong, after previous operator C&D Recycling let the waste grow to unsafe levels, creating a fire risk.
Both the site’s operator and owner have entered liquidation and funding available to keep the site safe ends today, prompting the EPA to step in.
The watchdog says it will pursue the previous site occupiers, owners, company directors and other parties to recover the costs of fire prevention measures and the clean-up.
Meanwhile, the Victorian government is providing an initial $30 million for the job, which could take several years, given the estimated 320,000 cubic metres of materials.
The site mostly contains construction and demolition waste, including timber, concrete, bricks, plaster, glass and ceramics.
Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the government was stepping in to reduce the risk to the public and environment.
“The former operator’s complete disregard for health and safety is disgraceful and has put the community at risk,” she said.
“We will be pursuing the private operators involved for every cent of the clean-up cost. They created this mess, it’s only right they pay for it to be fixed.”
EPA CEO Cathy Wilkinson said the owner, The Australian Sawmilling Company (TASCO) and C&D Recycling, failed in their duties under the Environment Protection Act to manage the unacceptable fire risk.
TASCO had leased the site to the failed C&D Recycling business, which closed mid-2018 when C&D abandoned the site with a large volume of waste.
The EPA’s powers will be beefed up under new laws, effective in July 2020.
Link: https://www.9news.com.au/national/news-victoria-victorian-taxpayers-to-pay-30-million-to-clean-up-dangerous-waste-site/6142e595-d81d-4275-afdc-59c574722023
