By Andy Young
The developers behind the Corkman Irish pub in Carlton, which was illegally demolished in October last year, have been fined again after they failed to meet a reporting deadline set out by Victoria’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
The 140-year-old pub made headlines after it was demolished, sparking outrage in the community, this was added to a week later when asbestos from the demolition was dumped illegally.
After visiting the site on 19 October the EPA discovered large piles of uncovered construction and demolition waste, including asbestos and so issued the developers with a Minor Works Pollution Abatement Notice. That notice required the operator to implement a number of control measures at the site, including installing adequate signage highlighting asbestos was present; covering the debris, controlling sediment run off and engaging a suitably qualified asbestos consultant to produce an asbestos management plan.
EPA Metro Manager Dan Hunt said the company had until 23 November to provide a report that specified how it had complied with the Notice.
“On 22 December 2016, EPA received correspondence from the company well past the November 23 deadline, and it partly satisfied the requirement,” he said.
“Subsequently, a $7,773 Penalty Infringement Notice was issued for breaching 31B(6)* of the Environment Protection Act as they failed to meet the reporting requirement outlined in this notice.”
“Failure to comply with the requirements of EPA notices is an offence and companies that disregard compliance due dates will be sanctioned accordingly.”
“Since the incident in October last year, EPA has issued more than $31,000 in fines to the two companies owned by these directors that are linked to the Corkman pub incident. It also continues to investigate potential breaches of the Environment Protection Act."
The EPA said it will continue to work with its co-regulators, including WorkSafe, DELWP and the City of Melbourne, to ensure both public health and the local environment are protected at the Carlton site. As a result of the demolition, Victoria's Parliament introduced new legislation looking at tougher penalties for illegal building work.
Peoples lives are in danger from the Asbesdos, and the EPA can only fine them $7,773??? What a joke. We need stronger laws to stop crooks like this doing whatever they feel like with little regard for other peoples health and safety.