Cleanaway Pty Ltd fined over massive 2021 fire in Brooklyn facility

A waste management company has been slapped with hefty fines after a massive fire engulfed a facility in Melbourne’s west, putting 17 suburbs on high alert.

A waste management company has been slapped with hefty fines after a massive fire engulfed a facility in Melbourne’s west, causing a high alert for 17 suburbs.

Cleanaway Pty Ltd was convicted and fined $15,000 for badly managed stockpiles at the Brooklyn Facility, as well as for missing deadlines.

The Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court heard the state environmental watchdog was investigating the site after two fires broke out at its Old Geelong Road Waste and Recovery Centre facility in January 2021 — one of which caused severe smoke warnings in 17 suburbs.

In their investigations, the EPA found stockpiles of wood chips, scrap timber and mixed waste breaching safety policies stacked too high and close together.

The company also needed to meet deadlines for risk and management plans imposed by EPA but failed.

Magistrate Urfa Masood convicted Cleanaway Pty Ltd and imposed a $15,000 fine and awarded the Environmental Protection Agency with costs of $7344.

EPA regional manager Stephen Lansdell said other businesses should be warned and learn from the case.

“It is critical how you store and stockpile waste. You must prevent any fire risks. All businesses must understand the importance of meeting EPA deadlines and notice requirements,” Mr Lansdell said.

“These policies are there to prevent catastrophic fires. They limit the size of piles and give firefighters a chance to trap the fire while it is still small.

“The community in Melbourne’s Western suburbs expects much better and does not deserve to be put at risk from more fires. If you see any pollution or have any concerns, please report them to us.”

Cleanaway Pty Ltd was contacted for comment.

Members of the public can report pollution online here.