EPA Victoria will conduct a series of snap inspections in the Macedon Ranges area to ensure businesses are complying with regulations, with particular focus around stormwater management, and liquid waste storage and disposal.
EPA officers will visit businesses in Woodend, Gisborne, and Kyneton over several days this week.
“The General Environmental Duties (GED) requirements of the Environmental Protection Act 2017 make it clear that it’s everyone’s job to act to protect the environment.,” EPA Northwest Regional Manager Dr Scott Pigdon said.
“We want to help businesses to understand that they must act to improve their onsite controls in preventing spills and pollution entering the environment.
“Where EPA identifies poor controls to prevent pollution, businesses can expect us to use our powers to enforce compliance.
“The waterways that stormwater drains feed are critically important to both our environment and the communities' health and well-being. They must be protected by everyone, including industry.”
“We are particularly concerned that chemicals are stored properly. We have seen too often the harm that can be done to the environment through the uncontrolled escape of chemicals."
EPA has information on line:
Managing liquids
https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-business/find-a-topic/store-manage-liquids
General Environmental Duty
More information is also available at the following links: Manufacturing, Construction, Retail, Agriculture, Mining and quarrying, Waste and recycling, and Local government as a duty holder.
Reviewed 21 August 2023
