EPA charge Fortek and director Ross Pelligra over alleged unlawful disposal of industrial waste
The state’s environmental watchdog has charged the director and company developing the former Ford factory for alleged unlawful disposal of industrial waste.
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The state’s environmental watchdog has charged the director and company developing the former Ford factory precinct for the alleged unlawful disposal of industrial waste.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in December laid charges in December against Fortek (Princes) Pty Ltd and its sole director, Rosario Pelligra, who also goes by Ross.
The industrial waste is alleged to be contaminated timber from the decommissioning of a factory in North Geelong.
The Geelong Advertiser understands it is the former Ford factory.
Along with Fortek (Princes) Pty Ltd, Mr Pelligra is the chairman of Pelligra Group, which purchased the former Ford site.
Ford Australia announced the sale of the factory, along with its Broadmeadows site, to the family-owned company for an undisclosed amount in May 2019.
At the time, Pelligra Group said it would inject an initial $500m for development of Ford’s Norlane, North Shore and Broadmeadows sites.
The Melbourne-based company has a large portfolio of commercial, residential and industrial developments and also own the former Holden factory in Adelaide.
According to ASIC documents, Fortek (Princes) Pty Ltd was registered in April 2019, a month before Ford’s announcement.
The EPA also charged Geelong Landfill Pty Ltd, which own the Fyansford Waste Management Facility, with breaches of its EPA Operating Licence.
The authority alleges that the waste was disposed of at the Fyansford landfill, which was not authorised to receive industrial waste of that type.
The case was investigated by EPA’s Environmental Crime Branch, and the charges will be heard at the Geelong Magistrates’ Court on January 23.
The EPA declined to comment further, with the matter heading before the courts.
Pelligra Group and Geelong Landfill Pty Ltd were contacted for comment.
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