Escaped waste costs builder $2,000

Sand and cement waste flowing out of an unattended building site after a rainstorm at Lara has cost a Greenvale builder a $2,035 fine from EPA Victoria.

Officers found the mess while inspecting sites as part of EPA’s residential construction compliance program, making it the fourth company to be booked during a recent blitz on building site pollution.

EPA Southwest Regional Manager Martha-Rose Loughnane says the message for builders and developers is that their responsibility for waste management does not stop at the site boundary.

“Paper and plastic packaging, polystyrene scraps, sand, sawdust, cement residue, odour, paint or chemicals - anything that blows or flows offsite - is still your pollution,” Ms Loughnane said.

“You must have measures in place at all times to prevent waste from being dispersed by wind, rain or gravity beyond the site boundary and into the surrounding environment,” she said.

“This is a widespread issue across residential construction sites, the community doesn’t deserve it, and EPA doesn’t hesitate to hold those responsible to account.”

Even sediment tracked onto streets by trucks leaving the site qualifies as pollution.

In this case, Greenvale company Jaden Homes Pty Ltd, has been fined for unlawful deposit of litter under s115(1) of the Environment Protection Act 2017.

The community can also help keep our neighbourhoods clean. EPA urges anyone having a home built to visit the site and if the waste is not properly secured, to contact their builder immediately.

“Everyone working in residential building must know their responsibilities. The EPA Civil Construction, Building and Demolition Guide(opens in a new window) explains how – it’s available on the EPA website,” Ms Loughnane said.

Under the Environment Protection Act 2017 and the Infringements Act 2006, the operator has the right to have the infringement notices reviewed or be considered by a court.

The Construction, Building and Demolition Guide is available at epa.vic.gov.au/18341-civil-construction-building-and-demolition-guide(opens in a new window)

Illegal dumping of waste is a serious crime.

The Victorian Government has established a dedicated EPA‑led taskforce, working in partnership with DEECA and the Conservation Regulator, to target illegal dumping on public land.

The taskforce works closely with councils, brings together investigative expertise, focuses on high‑risk locations, engages with industries most at risk of offending, and strengthens enforcement to prevent illegal dumping and catch offenders.

For more information go to epa.vic.gov.au/illegal-waste-dumping-taskforce(opens in a new window)

Members of the public can report pollution by calling EPA’s 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842 or providing details online at epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/reporting-pollution(opens in a new window)