Geelong businesses are being accused of contributing to a massive illegal tyre dumping ground just outside of Bendigo.
An estimated 10,000 waste tyres were discovered in huge piles on a property at Lockwood, 14 kilometres south-west of Bendigo, after the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) received a tip-off from the public.
The largest stack was 40 metres wide, 30 metres long and four metres high.
The tyres were discovered during an EPA drone search of the area, after the authority was alerted by a member of the public.
The tyres are believed to have come from businesses across the Bendigo, Geelong and Melbourne areas.
The premises did not have a permit to store, dispose of or process waste tyres.
EPA Victoria Chief Investigator Greg Elms said officers from the organisation, the City of Greater Bendigo and Victoria Police raided the property on March 14.
“Uncontrolled stockpiling of waste tyres creates a fire hazard and the risk of pollution of the land and nearby waterways,” Mr Elms said.
“Retailers and mechanics disposing of waste tyres must make sure they are sending them to legitimate operators, who track their transport through EPA’s online Waste Tracker app and take them to properly licensed premises for recycling or disposal.”
Businesses that contibuted to the dump are now in the EPA’s sights.
“The focus is now on the tyre retailers identified as incorrectly disposing of waste tyres or not using the EPA Waste Tracker app,” Mr Elms said.
“Waste tyres are reportable priority waste under Victorian law. Tyre retailers, transporters and receivers have an obligation to ensure they’re sent for proper disposal and to use the Waste Tracker app when they’re moved from any premises.”
The incident follows Geelong Broadcaster’s revelation of another massive tyre dumping area on the Point Henry foreshore in January of last year.
Mr Elms warned tyre companies and other businesses to avoid suspiciously cheap deals from tyre transporters.
“(You could be) in serious trouble if your tyres are later found dumped on public or private land. Businesses caught flouting the rules face hefty fines and even prosecution.”
The authority urged the public to report any suspicious or illegal waste tyre activities on 1300 372 842.
