Tenants dumping toxic waste in warehouses across Thomastown, Epping
Dodgy tenants are renting warehouses in Thomastown and Epping to stockpile huge mounds of toxic waste, then abandoning the sites and leaving the owners with massive, costly clean-ups. But a pilot program cracking down on the illegal activity is on the cards.
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Whittlesea Council is cracking down on dodgy tenants using empty warehouses in Thomastown and Epping as dumping grounds for toxic industrial waste.
Cr Caz Monteleone said the culprits would rent out the warehouses short-term, stockpile hazardous waste and abandon the sites, leaving the landowner with an expensive and dangerous clean-up.
In the past year drums of toxic chemicals were discovered at four warehouses in Devon Crt and Yale Dr in Epping — with the responsible operators linked with the devastating industrial fire in Tottenham two years ago — while the EPA and the council were also forced to clean up a large warehouse in Thomastown after illegal construction and demolition waste was found onsite.
The council will now partner with the EPA in a pilot program Protection of the Local Environment where industrial buildings will be regularly inspected across the municipality.
“These tenants dump waste and run and they can be hard to track because they change their details,” Cr Monteleone said.
“They’re doing it because it’s cheaper than disposing of the waste correctly but this can lead to devastating fire risks and create health hazards.
“It would be horrific for anyone to be working onsite or near to where toxic waste is being housed, so if you notice any suspicious behaviour like late-night truck activity or large stockpiles of chemical drums please report it.”
Whittlesea Council director of planning, partnerships and engagement Liana Thompson said the council was also part of a taskforce led by Emergency Management Victoria which investigated the illegal storage of toxic industrial waste.
“We aim to work with businesses but we, and the EPA, do have the option to prosecute as a last resort,” she said.
EPA spokesman John Rees said the EPA had been involved in multiple cases where landlords were left with “significant volumes” of toxic waste from former tenants.
“Whilst sites including warehouses can be appropriately set up to safely handle wastes, this should be supported with appropriate licencing and/or council planning permits, and operators and landlords should be aware of their legal responsibilities,” he said.
As of July 1 next year repeat industrial waste offenders could face up to two years in prison.
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Illegal dumping of waste was also rife in neighbouring municipality Nillumbik where burnt-out cars, tyres, television sets and even piles of asbestos were being left on the sides of roads every day, according to Mayor Karen Egan.
Cr Egan said culprits caught in the act had been dumping rubbish from outside Nillumbik.
“They could be evading expensive tip fees, but it’s no excuse,” she said.
“Ratepayers pay the price for this selfish behaviour — we are urging people to think before they decide to dump their waste.”