- Date of offence
- 19 February 2019
- Type of offence
1. Did disobey conditions of licence at Castlemaine on 19.02.2019, contrary to s.27(2).
2. Struckout - Withdrawn.
3. Did pollute waters to make harmful to welfare at Castlemaine on 19.02.2019, contrary to s.39(1)(b).
4. Struckout - Withdrawn.
5. Struckout - Withdrawn.
6. Struckout - Withdrawn.
- Background of offence
Charges laid against George Weston Foods Ltd by Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) have resulted in a $100,000 boost for a local conservation group.
EPA charged the company after an incident on 19 February 2019 at the company's Don KR Castlemaine facility at 64 Richards Rd, Castlemaine.
The spill allowed an unknown volume of untreated wastewater to flow into the creek across the road from the premises.
The company told EPA that the discharge of wastewater occurred because there was a failure with their trade waste pumps and associated alarm system, causing a trade waste pit to overflow into stormwater and run undetected into the creek.
George Weston Foods Ltd pleaded guilty in the Castlemaine Magistrates' Court on Friday 30 July 2021, to two charges of polluting waters of an unnamed tributary of Campbell's Creek and for breaching an EPA licence condition.
The company was convicted and ordered to pay $100,00 to the Mount Alexander Sustainability Group Inc to support the Mount Alexander Regenerative Agriculture Program.
The program is working to increase awareness and adoption of land management practices that improve and protect the condition of soil, biodiversity and vegetation (amongst other agricultural pursuits).
George Weston Foods Ltd was ordered to publicise its offending in the Midland Express, Bendigo Advertiser and Castlemaine Mail newspapers and pay EPA's costs of $10,000.
The company has also been placed on a 2 year undertaking to be of good behaviour.
Contaminated water was removed from the creek as part of the clean-up operation, and George Weston Foods Ltd has since made modifications to the premises to prevent any future spills.
- Date of court hearing
- 30 July 2021
- Date of court order
- 3 August 2021
- Court magistrate
- P R Southey
- Court location
- Castlemaine
- Proceeding number
- L13033712
Court orders made
With conviction, adjourned to Castlemaine Magistrates' Court on 28/07/2023.
Accused released upon giving Undertaking starting on 30/07/2021.
Accused to be of good behaviour during the period of adjournment.
Further order conditions:
s.67AC Environment Protection Act Publication as per signed draft order as amended.
s.67AC Order that the Company pay $100,000 to the Mount Alexander Sustainability Group Inc. to support their Regenerative Agriculture Program.
Costs: $10,000
Reviewed 16 March 2022
