Charges:

1. Did dump industrial waste at unlicensed site at Tremont from 27.09.2019 to 02.10.2019, contrary to s.27A(2)(a).

2. Did dump industrial waste at unlicensed site at Tremont from 03.10.2019 to 07.10.2019, contrary to s.27A(2)(a).

3. Did dump industrial waste at unlicensed site at Tremont on or about 08.10.2019, contrary to s.27A(2)(a).

EPA investigated and charged Rodney Charles Hallett (the accused) after Parks Victoria received pollution reports from the public, and local CFA Brigades were called in to retrieve 21 drums from steep mountain country.

The Ringwood Magistrates' Court heard the accused had collected the drums from a cleaning company in Braeside, charging the company $435 and promising to take the drums to an approved chemical waste facility.

The 21 drums included 13 that contained unknown liquids, and all of them had been dumped in steep country near Mt Dandenong Tourist Road and Churchill Road, Tremont.

When Parks Victoria called in specialist contractors to dispose of the chemical drums properly, it cost $6,699.10. The court, without recording a conviction, ordered the accused to pay a fine of $25,000, to compensate Parks Victoria $6,699 for the clean up and to pay EPA $6,602.69 for its legal costs.