The Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has undertaken one of its largest enforcement operations, deploying the most EPA officers ever in an operation of its kind.
Chief Executive of EPA, Lee Miezis said the multi-agency investigation saw 25 officers involved in a coordinated blitz of businesses to gather information and evidence in the State’s north.
“Led by investigators from EPA’s Environmental Crime Branch and environment protection officers from its North West Victoria regional office, EPA targeted locations in the Echuca area guided from the air by drone surveillance,” Mr Miezis said.
“The local community has complained about long term, severe odour issues and potential waste crime,” he said.
“The investigation centred around businesses involved in the meat and livestock industry.”
Mr Miezis said EPA had received many complaints, particularly about odour that had been impacting the local community.
The Chief Executive said severe odour issues had the capacity to affect quality of life, even where they didn’t directly impact health.
He said the operation took many weeks of planning, was executed unannounced and was highly successful in gathering information that would assist EPA to proceed with its investigations.
“This is the largest single deployment of EPA officers and other Agencies in an operation of this kind,” Mr Mezies said.
“They were a great example of how the Agencies work together to gain successful outcomes.
“It comes despite EPA trying to work with the businesses to rectify issues.”
He said the operation was a message to business that they had had time to comply with the new Environmental Protection Act.
“If they won’t, this is the kind of action we can take,” Mr Mezies said.
