A Preston metals recycler trading as ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Metals Trading and Recycling has been fined $10,000 after EPA found the company’s stockpiles were a fire hazard.
EPA officers inspecting the site on 19 January 2021 found a large stockpile of combustible and recyclable waste material blocking firefighting vehicle access, and the company had no fire prevention plan and only limited firefighting equipment.
EPA issued the company with a remedial notice requiring it to stop receiving waste at the Chifley Drive premises until the stockpiles were compliant with regulations, but inspections on 11 and 24 February found the company receiving more waste, including a hot water heater, fridge, air conditioning unit, basins, metal pipes and other scrap.
The company, registered as Engine Gallery Enterprises Pty Ltd, pleaded guilty in the Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court to a charge of contravening the Victorian Government’s Waste Management Policy (Combustible Recyclable Waste Materials), and two charges of failing to comply with EPA remedial notices.
The magistrate regarded the conduct as a serious breach, convicted and fined the company $10,000, and ordered it to pay EPA’s costs of $955.
EPA’s Northern Metropolitan Regional Manager Jeremy Settle says the charges were not just about a business failing to follow the rules.
“The stockpiles were a concern, particularly if there was a large fire, as was the business ignoring the order to stop accepting combustible waste material,” Mr Settle said.
“EPA has zero tolerance for fire risk on industrial sites, a key driver of our focus on high-risk waste management facilities, and this was one of the hundreds of sites we’ve inspected during the past year,” he said.
“Our message to business is clear: you must manage the risks at your premises and take fire safety seriously, or EPA will take action.”
Members of the public can report pollution by calling EPA’s 24-hour hotline on 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842) or providing details online at
