A Braybrook company has copped a $5,928 fine from EPA Victoria over a stockpile of industrial waste found on a property at Campbell Rd, Gisborne.

EPA officers fined First Choice Demolition Pty Ltd for failing to comply with an official order called an Environmental Action Notice (EAN).

EPA Northwest Regional Manager Paul Ratajczyk says officers issued the EAN after the CFA reported the stockpile as a potential fire hazard. The stockpile included construction and demolition waste, most of it waste timber in scattered piles.

“The EAN gave clear instructions: stop accepting waste, remove it to a licensed facility for disposal, and provide photographs and documents to prove it has been done,” Mr Ratajczyk said.

“The deadline passed, the company had not provided proof of compliance, and another inspection showed there was still plenty of waste on the site,” he said.

“A notice like this must be taken seriously. Even after the fine has been paid, the company is still responsible for the clean-up and reporting back to EPA.”

EPA will continue to check on the property.

Under the Environment Protection Act 2017 and the Infringements Act 2006, the operator has the right to have the infringement notice reviewed or be considered by a court.

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