| Date of offence or contravention | 20 January 2024 |
|---|---|
| Type of offence or contravention | Non-compliance with an Environmental Action Notice contrary to s 290(1). |
| Background of offence or contravention | Mr Cocks is the owner of a property in Lara approximately 1.5km from residential housing. On 31 August 2023 an EPA inspection was conducted at which the EPA officers observed a main stockpile of unchipped material including predominately sawn and waste timber both treated and untreated, concrete and ceramic tiles and observed a pile of burnt material close to the main stockpile and another pile of rubble and burnt material had been pushed up into separate piles. The ground showed evidence of burning with large black areas close to the remaining stockpile indicating there had been multiple fires. The accused was served with an Environmental Action Notice (EAN) requiring him to (1) stop accepting indstial waste, (2) stop burning industrail waste, and (3) remove the remaining waste from his premesis to one that can lawfully accept it. Mr Cocks failed to comply with the third requirement of the EAN as he did not remove the industrial waste from the premises and dispose of it at a facility permitted to accept it. |
| Date of court hearing | 15 April 2026 |
| Date of court order | 15 April 2026 |
| Judicial officer | Magistrate Bryant |
| Court and location | Geelong Magistrates' Court |
| Proceeding number | R10504367 |
Court orders made
With conviction fined $3,000. Court Order for clean-up/removal of all industrial waste on the property by 1 July 2026. All records relating to the removal to be provided to the EPA by 31 July 2026.
Updated