Tradie fined $8000 over rubbish blaze

A MOOLAP concrete cutter has been fined more than $8000 by the Environment Protection Authority for burning cardboard boxes instead of recycling them.

The fire at the Super City Concrete Cutting site on July 19 spread to a neighbouring property, burning one car, damaging two others, melting wheelie bins and igniting 80 litres of waste oil.

The CFA was able to extinguish the fire before it spread to the wider industrial estate and City of Greater Geelong assisted with the cleanup.

EPA south west manager Carolyn Francis said it was disappointing businesses were still not getting the message to not burn industrial waste.

“This fire, and the impact to the neighbouring business, was completely irresponsible and avoidable — all the business owner had to do was put the cardboard boxes in a recycling bin instead,” she said.

“Thankfully EPA officers were on site and managed to prevent firewater and a signifi- cant amount of hydrocarbons from impacting the stormwater system.

“Burning industrial waste can pollute our waterways, harm land and impact the air quality.”

Ms Francis said any business unclear of its environmental obligations should look at the EPA website to avoid making a costly mistake that could be damaging to the environment and public health.

“The new EPA Act, which takes effect on 1 July 2020, will include a new General Environmental Duty which requires those who conduct activities that pose a risk to human health and the environment to take reasonable steps to eliminate or reduce those risks,” she said.