- Date of offence
- Between 13 October 2020 and 9 February 2021
- Type of offence
Charge 1: the accused did permit industrial waste at unlicensed site at Wildwood on 13 October 2020, contrary to s.27A(2)(a).
Charge 2: the accused did contravene requirements of Notice at Wildwood on 7 December 2020, contrary to s.62A(3).
Charge 3: the accused did contravene Notice to take clean-up measures at Wildwood on 9 February 2021, contrary to s.62A(3).
- Background of offence
Company MG Hobby Farms Pty Ltd and sole director, Khaled MERHI charged with burning industrial waste on their land in Wildwood.
EPA attended in response to reports of burning of waste on 12 October 2020. They observed burnt ground and smouldering piles of industrial waste (scrap metal, bricks, broken tiles, timber, aerosol cans, plaster, soil and timber).
Heterogenous soil containing rocks, plastics, PVC, rubber and rubble was on site on the ground and in a skip bin loaded onto a truck onsite.
A Clean-up Notice (CUN) was issued requiring the cessation of waste burning and removal of all industrial waste from the premises by 6 December 2020. This was not done.
EPA issued a further CUN on 4 January 2021 requiring removal of industrial wasted including asbestos containing material by 8 February 2021. This was not done.
- Date of court hearing
- 12 December 2022
- Date of court order
- 12 December 2022
- Court magistrate
- S M Stuthridge
- Court location
- Broadmeadows
- Proceeding number
- N10621489
Court orders made
Without conviction. Adjourned to Broadmeadows Magistrates' Court on 10 March 2023.
The accused released upon giving an undertaking starting on 12 December 2022.
To appear before adjourned date if called upon during the period of adjournment.
The accused to be of good behaviour during the period of adjournment.
Reviewed 3 February 2023
