An investigation involving escaped wastewater, a bad smell and a circle of dead grass has cost an abattoir at Trafalgar South a fine of nearly $10,000 from EPA Victoria.

A pollution report from a member of the public on 17 August 2024 led EPA Victoria Authorised Officers to inspect the premises on Giles Road.

The officers found a mobile irrigator spraying a circle of dead grass with two streams of partially treated wastewater. They followed the runoff through a series of gullies and channels until it discharged across the property boundary and into Giles Creek.

EPA has fined the company, Victoria Valley Investments Pty Ltd, $9,880 for contravening Section115(4) of the Environment Protection Act 2017, with the unlawful deposit of waste greater than 1,000 litres, in the form of abattoir wastewater, into Giles Creek.

EPA Gippsland Regional Manager Jessica Bandiera says it became an offence the moment the partially treated wastewater was discharged without controls to keep it on the property. 

“Contamination in the wastewater and the bacteria it feeds can have devastating effects on fish, plants and other aquatic life in the creek, and can spread disease to livestock downstream,” Ms Bandiera said.

“Let waste like this into a creek and you are not only causing potential significant impacts on the environment and human health, but you are breaking the law” she said.

EPA Victoria has an ongoing investigation into the company’s activities on the site.

Members of the public can report pollution by calling EPA’s 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842 or providing details online at epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/reporting-pollution