Auto wreckers fined

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Tara Murray

An auto car wreckers in Campbellfield has been fined more than $16,000 by the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA).

EPA officers have fined Arara Auto Wreckers over industrial waste and a lack of measures to prevent leakage into the environment.

EPA northern metropolitan regional manager Jeremy Settle said the fines resulted from routine inspections of auto wreckers and metal recyclers in Melbourne’s north.

“EPA officers found the Arara Auto Wreckers site in Sarah Street, Campbellfield, had stored waste oils, engine coolants and materials including waste oil filters and metals, with no measures to prevent any spills entering the nearby stormwater drains and waterways,” Mr Settle said.

“We also found prescribed industrial waste (PIW) including discarded oil and coolant dumped on the ground at the premises.”

The depositing of the PIW is an offence under the Environment Protection Act 1970, attracting an $8261 fine.

The EPA issued the company with a second fine of $8261 for failing to comply with a Pollution Abatement Notice.

EPA officers are continuing to conduct routine inspections of wreckers’ yards and metal recyclers in Melbourne’s north, and members of the public can report pollution by calling EPA’s 24 hour hotline on 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842).