New industry, jobs in Stawell

S“This work will also send a clear message to those who might be thinking about profiting at the expense of community safety”

– Lee Miezis

tawell will become home to a new industry to recycle, process and dispose end-of-life acetylene cylinders.

The new industry and jobs will be created as clean-up of an illegal waste dump at Lemon Springs, near Kaniva, moves into its final stages.

Environmental Protection Authority Victoria chief executive Lee Miezis said the purpose-built, end-of-life acetylene cylinder treatment and disposal centre at Stawell was an Australian-first.

The disposal facility will enable the clean-up of about 50,000 allegedly illegally dumped and buried acetylene cylinders at Lemon Springs, and provide an ongoing national solution for recycling and safe disposal of used acetylene cylinders.

Enviropacific was the successful bidder for the disposal of the acetylene cylinders at Lemon Springs, following a national tender process, and will construct and operate the new Stawell facility.

Mr Miezis said with the Lemon Springs site almost cleared, a solution to the safe disposal of the cylinders was the logical next step.

“Our involvement in addressing such a significant legacy of waste mismanagement has created a national solution and a new market that provides a solution to a national problem that is only just coming to light,” he said.

“It will create a new industry and employment opportunities for the north-west.”

Mr Miezis said the ‘bad old days’ of treating the environment as a waste dump by those who aimed to profit from illegal and unacceptable behaviour were over.

“This work will also send a clear message to those who might be thinking about profiting at the expense of community safety,” he said.

“We will do whatever is needed to protect our community and environment.”

More than 1500 tonnes of liquid waste, 7500 tonnes of contaminated soil and 2400 kilolitres of contaminated water has been removed from the site since EPA remediation works began, following the site’s discovery in 2018.

Of the estimated 50,000 cylinders located at the site, 43,000 have been removed and stored, awaiting further assessment and treatment.

Mr Miezis said a criminal investigation has resulted in a person being charged and awaiting trial.