Safety priority in Kaniva clean-up
The state’s environmental watchdog will focus on public safety and the prevention of environmental damage as it investigates and manages illegally dumped waste south of Kaniva.
Environment Protection Authority Victoria north-west regional manager Scott Pigdon said the process involving the dump site about 15 kilometres from Kaniva was complex ‘and would take some time’. “It will remain a priority for the EPA,” he said. The dump area has chemicals including hydrocarbons and solvents in at least 20 underground sites on private property on Kaniva-edenhope Road.
“Our first concern is protecting the community and the environment from any potential hazard,” Dr Prigdon said.
“The investigation and management of the site will be thorough and can’t be rushed.
“When the dump sites were first discovered, EPA alerted West Wimmera Shire Council, Gwmwater and other agencies. EPA and Gwmwater have been monitoring the site’s groundwater; it shows no signs of contamination, nor is there a risk from chemical vapours.”
Dr Pigdon said Gwmwater confirmed testing revealed no change in the quality of water in Kaniva and did not anticipate any changes.
“While EPA is still assessing the nature and the amount of waste hidden on the property, the results found so far also show the groundwater is unlikely to be affected,” he said.
“However, EPA and Gwmwater will continue this cautious approach and will expand the groundwater monitoring program onto the property itself.”
Dr Pigdon said the EPA investigation, ‘with
a long way undertaking.
EPA investigators have used aerial drones fitted with ground penetrating radar, GPR, to search for buried waste – a first for an Australian regulator,” he said.
“Locating buried dump sites with potentially different types of waste on such a large property is a big challenge. It is vital that it be done with sufficient care to ensure the safety of staff working on the site, and to prevent any further damage to the environment or danger to the public.
“That same care is being put into the legal process, and that will mean a series of different stages. EPA will direct the landowner to undertake actions to secure the property and understand potential risks on the site, and those actions will lead to the development of a clean-up plan.”
Dr Pigdon said EPA continued to work with other government bodies, such as Worksafe, Country Fire Authority and Grampians Regional Emergency Management Team, and keep other agencies such as Agriculture Victoria informed of any updates.
He added a comprehensive emergency management response plan was being prepared and EPA would continue to provide regular updates to the public.
More than 100 people from the community attended an EPA open-house event to learn more about the illegal waste dump site and hear the latest from the government organisations managing the response.
EPA plans to hold another event in a redesigned format based on feedback from those who attended the open house. People seeking information can visit EPA website www.epa.vic.gov.au/ kaniva, call 1300 EPA VIC or email northwest. mailbox@epa.vic.gov.au with any questions. still to go’, was already a major