PASS, page-63

Interesting news from the EPA site.

Looks like NAG's biggest competition for the Metro Rail Tunnel PASS may have  to sit this one out

Punter will be devastated

EPA suspends Bulla landfill operator’s licence

15 Jun 2018

Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has suspended the licence of BTQ Group Pty Ltd forcing it to cease landfilling operations at its Bulla landfill site after it failed to adequately answer EPA’s concerns over the site.

“Suspending the licence of a landfill operator and forcing it to cease accepting waste, we hope, will provide the time required to bring its operation back into compliance and ensure its environmental obligations are met,” said EPA CEO Nial Finegan.

“There have been multiple licence contraventions at the Bulla site including exposed friable asbestos, litter and dust beyond the boundary, multiple subsurface fires, uncovered waste, waste deposited beyond the site boundary and deep excavations within previously filled landfill cells which have culminated to present serious occupational safety issues, a human health risk to on-site workers and nearby community members and an environmental risk to nearby sensitive receptors and agricultural land uses.

“The latest action follows an EPA direction to BTQ to cease shredding and movement of waste containing identified asbestos fragments on 13 March 2018.

“Waste management is an increasingly important issue and the community has the reasonable expectation that landfill sites will be properly operated within the terms of their licence and if they are not, that the regulator will use its powers to enforce compliance.”

“BTQ must prove to EPA and the other regulators which have an interest in the site, that they are capable of operating it in accordance with its licence and environmental obligations before EPA considers lifting the suspension from the company”.

As there are other nearby landfill sites that can accept redirected waste from BTQ.  EPA will continue to work with all relevant authorities including Hume council, CFA and Worksafe to bring the site into compliance.

BTQ can request a review of the licence suspension and appeal to VCAT.

https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/about-us...dates/news/2018/june/15/btq-licence-suspended