Status
Active
Incident Date
5 January 2024
Locations Affected
EPA region: Western Metropolitan.
Pacific Metal Group factory site, Plummer Rd, Laverton North

Summary

A fire broke out in a stockpile of recycling materials at the factory at 1.44pm, on Monday 2 January 2024. The fire burned in the stockpile for two days. EPA officers attended the site to support emergency services and monitor the impact of the fire, and firewater runoff on the local environment.

What is currently happening on site?

EPA is continuing to inspect the site and investigate the recent fire incident. We are working with our Government partners at Fire Rescue Victoria, WorkSafe and Melbourne Water to monitor and manage any risks at or from the site.

On January 5, EPA issued two legal notices. A prohibition notice, stopping the company from bringing further material onto the site and requiring a stockpile management plan.  An Environmental Action Notice (EAN) was also issued requiring the company to prevent surface water from leaving the site and produce a stormwater risk assessment that will include recommendations for ongoing management. 

The operator is continuing to clean up their site, which includes reducing and managing their current stockpiles, sorting and removing waste materials, and collecting and pumping any impacted surface water from the site for appropriate disposal.

Air Quality Monitoring 

EPA Victoria undertook air quality monitoring during the fire incident. Recent air monitoring conducted at the site demonstrated very low levels of pollution from the fire site. EPA is confident the risk to the community is very low.

The fire was located in stockpile of mixed recycled materials at a local recycling business. Metal, plastics and rubber materials were part of the stockpile. 

Visit the EPA AirWatch site where you can view current air quality for Footscray, Kingsville, Seddon and Brooklyn.

However, if you or anyone in your care is worried about symptoms, seek medical advice or call Nurse of Call on 1300 60 60 24. Anyone having trouble breathing or tightness in the chest should seek urgent medical assistance – call 000. For further details or more information on any other uses not identified above, contact EPA on 1300 372 842. 

Timeline 

  • 5 January 2024: Current regulatory action – EPA issued two legal notices., a Prohibition Notice and an Environmental Action Notice. The Prohibition Notice stops the company from bringing further material onto the site and requiring a stockpile management plan. The Environmental Action Notice requires the company to prevent surface water from leaving the site and produce a stormwater risk assessment that will include recommendations for ongoing management.
  • 4 January 2024: Fire extinguished and site handed back to operator – Fire Rescue Victoria hands control of the site back to the operator at 2:20pm on Thursday 4 January 2024. EPA inspects the site at the time of handover to assess the current situation, risks and determine further regulatory actions required.  
  • 2 January 2024: Fire starts and EPA supports Fire Rescue Victoria in response – a fire broke out in a stockpile of recycling materials at the factory at 1.44pm, on Monday 2 January 2024. The fire burned in the stockpile for two days. EPA officers attended the site to support emergency services and monitor the impact of the fire, and firewater runoff on the local environment.
Compliance and enforcement

Our compliance and enforcement approach is a mix of encouragement and deterrence. This is to motivate action. We escalate our response if a business is resistant, evasive or fails to account for its risks.

EPA is currently investigating whether stockpile management requirements had been met at the site at the time of the fire.  The company will be held to account for any non-compliances, using the full force of EPA’s powers. 

EPA is currently investigating potential breaches of the Environment Protection Act 2017. 

EPA has zero tolerance for waste and recycling companies that fail to manage the risk of fire from their operations.

Consistent with standard processes, EPA is currently reviewing its regulation of Pacific Metals Group Pty Ltd to identify any further improvements that can be made to prevent fires like this from occurring.

Responsibilities by organisation

There are many organisations that have a role in regulation. This is to ensure duty holders prevent and manage risks.

We are working with our Government partners at Fire Rescue Victoria, WorkSafe and Melbourne Water to monitor and manage any risks at or from the site.

For more information:

EPA

Our role is to check and enforce compliance with the Environment Protection Act (2017).

We regulate prevention or control of pollution. EPA also improves the quality of the environment. This includes regulating activities that may present a danger to the environment. One of the tools available to us is the licensing of certain scheduled premises. These premises may present a risk to the environment. EPA supports duty holders to comply meet environmental obligations.

For more information learn how Victorian businesses are responsible for protecting human health and the environment.

Community information

EPA’s practice is to make the results of investigations public as soon as possible. EPA has provided an update about recent regulatory actions to local community members. 

Find out more about pollution and how it can affect your health.

Report pollution

If you notice any dust issue in the area, report it as soon as possible. Notify us by completing a pollution report form. You can also email contact@epa.vic.gov.au or phone our 24-hour contact centre on 1300 372 842.

 

Reviewed 25 January 2024