Mega Cars Wrecking fined by EPA for failing to comply with fire hazard orders

An Ardeer car wrecker has been caught with drums of waste oil and fuel stored so they could leak into a nearby creek and dozens of empty fire extinguishers.

EPA Victoria has fined an Ardeer car wrecker $5548 for failing to comply with the conditions of an order to clean up and reduce the fire hazard in its stockpiles.

An Ardeer car wrecker has been caught with drums of waste oil and fuel stored so they could leak into a nearby creek and dozens of empty fire extinguishers.

United Auto Recyclers Pty Ltd, trading as Mega Cars Wrecking, was slapped with $5548 in fines after Environment Protection Authority officers found its wrecking yard represented “serious hazards to the community and environment”.

During regular inspections, EPA found the car-wrecking yard on Ballarat Rd had empty, out-of-date fire extinguishers along with a 60m-long stockpile of vehicles without separation.

The environmental watchdog also found Mega Cars Wrecking had drums of waste oil and fuel stored inappropriately where any leakage would go into nearby Jones Creek.

EPA western metropolitan regional manager Stephen Lansdell said the stockpile could seriously harm the community and the environment.

“The site had waste tyres stacked up too close to buildings and the property boundary, and there were no controls to stop contaminated stormwater leaving the site,” he said.

“These issues create a risk of pollution or a major fire, so EPA officers issued the company with formal compliance advice and a legal notice requiring a qualified contractor to undertake a fire risk assessment and report on the necessary actions.”

The EPA’s follow-up inspections showed the company was taking some action, but when the deadline arrived, there was no proof the company had complied with all instructions.

“EPA has been very clear and strong on preventing fire risks over the past five years,” Mr Lansdell said.

“There is no excuse for putting our community or environment at risk and not taking EPA laws and notice deadlines seriously.

“The fine does not bring the case to an end — the company is still required to bring its Ardeer premises into compliance with the law.”

Mega Cars Wrecking owner Abdul Aziz told the Herald Sun he was overseas when he received the formal notice.

“I went to Iraq to see my mom who was sick in the hospital. My secretary emailed them saying we need more time so after I am back we can organise something,” he said.

“When I came back to the country, I emailed EPA from my office, to give us an extension so I can have the time to fix it up, but I had no response just the next thing was the fine.”

Mr Aziz said the $5548 fine was very hard for the business to pay.

“I will request them to give us the time to fix it up,” Mr Aziz said.

Members of the public members can report pollution by calling EPA’s 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842 or providing details online.