Farmer fined for effluent spill

A West Gippsland farmer will be fined $1923 for depositing more than 1000 litres of dairy effluent into a tributary of the Lang Lang River.
EPA officers conducting an unannounced inspection of the Nyora property allege waste flowing from a dairy effluent management system into a rock-lined channel, then into the waterway. Officers said the spill continued a further 40 metres downstream.
EPA acting regional manager Sarah Cumming said dairy effluent spills were too common on Gippsland properties.
"On many properties we can offer advice, where the problems we find are minor. Yet we are still finding spills and dairy effluent systems in dire need of maintenance," she said.
"Good routine maintenance of your system will prevent a spill that affects the environment and your neighbours. The lack of that maintenance can mean pollution and a fine from EPA."
The Nyora farmer also been issued with an EPA regulatory notice requiring the effluent to be cleaned up and the system fixed.
Ms Cumming said depositing more than 1000 litres of dairy effluent into a waterway is a contravention of Section 115 of the Environment Protection Act 2017.
Community members can report pollution by calling EPA's 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842 or providing details online at epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/reporting-pollution