EPA officer abusers fined in Victoria first

The CEO and director of a Campbellfield tyre recycler have become the first people to be fined for attempting to intimidate an EPA Victoria officer in the course of their duties.

Tony Song and Sasha Wang were each fined $2,500 without conviction after pleading guilty in Broadmeadows Magistrates Court to obstructing an authorised EPA officer and attempting to intimidate an authorised officer. The charges were the first of their kind under the Environment Protection Act 2017.

Their company, ELT Recycling, was also fined $16,500 over breaches of its operating conditions, after waste tracking records showed it had accepted more than 50 times the permitted quantity of tyres for recycling.

The charges relate to an incident in 2023, when ELT representatives verbally abused and physically blocked EPA officers from carrying out an inspection of the company’s premises.

Interim CEO Joss Crawford welcomed the decision.

“Our people perform a difficult and important job, and they are entitled to go about their work in safety,” she said. “It’s unacceptable that they should be subjected to harassment and intimidation while fulfilling their duties.”

Ms Crawford said the case sent a strong message to businesses across the state.

“This should serve as a deterrent to similar behaviour and a warning that mistreatment of our staff won’t be tolerated. It’s also a reminder that our officers have the power to enter and inspect premises to monitor compliance with the Environment Protection Act, and it’s an offence to obstruct them.”