EPA slammed for failing to uncover massive illegal chemical dumping
The state’s environmental watchdog has been slammed after a report found inspectors had failed to act on an illegal waste dumping operation despite warnings in the two years leading up to a massive toxic warehouse fire in West Footscray.
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The state’s environmental watchdog has been hit with a scathing review after a report found the agency failed to detect a massive illegal chemical waste dumping operation that eventually led to a massive industrial blaze in Melbourne’s West.
The report on the Environmental Protection Agency — carried out by Ernst and Young at the request of the agency — found inspectors had failed to act despite warnings in the two years leading up to a massive toxic West Footscray warehouse fire.
When the flame raged chemical smoke poured across the western suburbs.
It sparked an unprecedented evacuation of homes and businesses, sending people to hospital with respiratory problems and leaving firefighters with long-term health problems.
So many chemicals were later found on site that the clean up was still continuing 18 months later with enough toxic waste to fill six Olympic swimming pools sitting at site.
The report revealed inspectors had received alerts about potentially dangerous activity at the sites linked to the warehouse between 2016 and 2018 but failed to conduct checks or find millions of litres of toxic chemicals.
In some cases EPA staff received report from the fire authorities and police and even attended the properties, but either did not find waste or could not gain entry.
“Pollution response key performance metrics are poorly designed and implemented,” the report said.
“We observed staff behaviours that drive achievement of targets but don’t achieve the desired outcome.
“These behaviours are counter-productive and may bring unintended consequences to for EPA.”
It also slammed the haphazard approach to investigations.
“The EPA’s use of intelligence information does not facilitate accurate and early identification of intelligence gaps resulting in significant issues, trends and emerging risks not being identified.’’
The report also found the agency failed to monitor the movement of chemicals across the state.
In a statement release by the EPA the agency said it has accepted all 22 recommendations made and that significant changes had already occurred to address the issues identified.
“The independent review was commissioned by EPA’s governing board following the discovery of illegally stored chemical waste across Melbourne’s northern suburbs in late 2018 and early 2019,’ the statement said.
“The review found EPAs historical regulation of chemical waste was inadequate and made recommendations to improve both responsiveness, and internal systems and processes.
“Two thirds, or 25 of 38, actions in response to the 22 recommendations, have already been completed.”
Following months of investigations after the Footscray blaze, Graham Leslie White, the man found to be leasing the Footscray site and who had links with several companies under investigation has been hit with multiple criminal and WorkSafe charges.
Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the agency was being improved.
“We have given record funding to the EPA to strengthen their ability to crack down on polluters, improve their technology and give them greater powers so they can adapt and respond to emerging challenges,” she said.
“It is my expectation that the EPA works tirelessly to protect the environment and keeps Victorians safe from pollution. This is what the community deserves.
“I will be closely monitoring EPA as it implements these recommendations and continues its transformation and forges a new era moving forward.”
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