EPA probe finds no evidence of Chinatown restaurants throwing cooking oil on Moonta St pavers

The EPA has revealed the findings of its investigation into whether traders are throwing cooking oil into Chinatown’s drains, damaging part of a $4m upgrade.

An investigation has found no evidence Chinatown restaurateurs are throwing cooking oil down drains on Moonta Street, damaging pavers that were part of a $4m upgrade.

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has said investigators found staining on some pavers but no physical or electronic evidence of oil being directly disposed into the drains.

The probe followed City councillors being told that some Moonta St restaurants were using the street’s new stormwater drain to dispose of their kitchen waste, spilling oil on to the pavers.

Between one third and a half of the new pavers had been damaged.

Staff were frequently sent out to clean the pavers, which were not sealed with a protective coating.

The upgraded Moonta St in Chinatown. Picture: Colin James

EPA officers spoke to traders and licensed waste transporters during their investigation.

The authority said the City Council had provided information about two incidents over the past few months in which waste oil was known to have spilt while being moved for transport, and CCTV vision of those events had been reviewed.

The organisation’s acting director of operations Andrew Pruszinski said council staff had been working to educate residents, shop owners and restaurant operators about their responsibilities relating to storing and transporting oils and waste.

“The council has advised that it will be creating new material to educate businesses about sustainability and the correct way to transport and dispose of waste,” he said.

“The EPA will also continue to liaise with waste transporters to ensure all possible precautions are taken to reduce the likelihood of spills during collection.”

The new paving was the biggest part of the Moonta Street upgrade, also featuring drainage and stormwater drain upgrades.

During a council meeting last week, infrastructure director Klinton Devenish said drains had been used to dispose of cooking oil in Chinatown for some time.

He told councillors the effect was “like red wine in a shirt” as it was very difficult to remove.

The council was seeking advice on whether it was still worth sealing the stained pavers.

Anyone with evidence of deliberate waste oil spills at any location should contact the EPA on 8204 2004.