Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria and Macedon Ranges council are joining forces to warn local construction businesses that there will be some surprise visits to local construction sites from Monday, April 8.
The EPA will work with council to ensure builders, developers and construction workers are meeting their safety, environmental and building compliance obligations.
The joint operation is similar to those run in other regional areas including Mildura, Bass Coast, Shepparton, Bairnsdale, Ballarat, Wodonga, Geelong and Bendigo.
The EPA is focusing inspections on construction site management, particularly dust, sediment run-off and waffle pods which are too often allowed to escape site boundaries.
Council said it will focus on ensuring requirements are being met for building sites under local laws, including secure site fencing, suitable refuse and sanitary facilities, and asset protection measures.
EPA north west regional manager Paul Ratajczyk said they are looking for typical building site pollution that can cause offsite impacts.
“Where businesses are ready to do their best we provide advice, but our priority is the environment, and we can step up to official notices or fines if necessary,” he said.
“We’ll also increase awareness of the general environmental duty and environmental laws that apply to the construction and demolition industry, to prevent harm to human health and the environment.“
Council’s director of environment and planning Rebecca Stockfeld said council is committed to ensuring our environment is protected and that builders operating in the Macedon Ranges are abiding by our local laws.
“We’ll continue to collaborate with other authorities – such as the EPA – to enforce compliance and improve understanding,” she said.
The EPA said it wants the local construction industry to be aware that at any time during the week they could be drop in and will use its powers to enforce compliance.
