Millicent Spencer
A new warehouse stockpiling soft plastics has been uncovered in Craigieburn.
An Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) spokesperson said the site was discovered through it’s information gathering powers, which make it a legal requirement for a company to provide information to the authority when requested.
The EPA has identified sites in West Footscray, Truganina, Williamstown North, Campbellfield, Tullamarine, Dandenong South, West Wodonga, two in Tottenham, and now the new one in Craigieburn.
EPA chief executive Lee Miezis said the regulators priority is to protect the community and the environment.
“Sites storing material such as soft plastics can pose a fire risk and businesses must make sure they prevent and manage this risk using controls such as built-in fire suppression systems, storage size limits and minimum separation distances between stockpiles,” he said.
The EPA spokesperson said officers will continue to monitor all sites to ensure compliance with environmental requirements, including the five sites that have notices to reduce fire risk.
“The investigation has uncovered approximately 3000 tonnes of stored waste soft plastics across the ten sites identified to date,” the spokesperson said.
“EPA is providing guidance and clear regulatory requirements to the businesses involved to ensure they improve their practices and comply with the law.”
