Hi-Quality Quarry Products charged by EPA for alleged breaches at Bulla landfill

The same company tasked with treating material from the West Gate Tunnel Project has been charged by the EPA following an investigation into landfill practices at their Sunbury precinct. Hi-Quality has since responded to the allegations.

The quarry company tasked with processing waste material from the West Gate Tunnel Project has been charged by the state’s top environmental regulator.

The EPA has laid 33 charges against Hi-Quality Quarry Products Pty Ltd and its director regarding practices and compliance at its Sunbury Eco-Hub in Bulla.

The firm have operated a quarry and landfill for two decades and routinely work with business and government agencies on a range of projects, including major clean-ups and emergencies.

According to Hi-Quality, the site encompasses resource recovery, engineered landfill, water treatment and quarrying.

The Sunbury Rd site also includes the Bulla Spoils Facility, a separate facility purpose built to treat and dispose of material from the West Gate Tunnel Project.

According to the company’s website, the facility was purpose-built to accept, treat and safely dispose of material excavated on the West Gate Tunnel Project.

The company allegedly failed to comply with licence conditions regarding leachate (liquid that forms when waste decomposes) as well as the coverage of waste and the amount of material allowed in a landfill cell.

Hi-Quality’s director Patrick James Hallinan was also charged.

According to the EPA, the charges relate to alleged breaches of agency licences and a failure to comply with remedial notices.

It is understood the alleged breaches took place at the existing landfill site and do not relate to the Spoils Facility in conjunction with the West Gate Tunnel Project.

They have been charged with contravening EPA operating licence conditions in the Environment Protection Act 1970, and Environment Protection Act 2017, and a failure to comply with EPA pollution abatement and improvement notices.

A Hi-Quality Group spokeswoman told The Herald Sun the company was aware of the EPA’s alleged breaches.

“We are committed to upholding the highest safety, operational and environmental standards,” the spokeswoman said.

“(The) Eco-Hub encompasses resource recovery, engineered landfill activities, water treatment and construction material production and we have operated in the Sunbury and Bulla communities for 20 years,” she said.

“We are currently working through these alleged breaches.”

The matter is expected to be heard at Broadmeadows Magistrates Court on August 17.