The company allegedly behind a chemical spill that led to the deaths of thousands of fish in Melbourne’s west has been charged with failing to minimise the risk of harm to the environment and human health.
The Laverton North-based business, Melbourne Transport and Warehousing, if found guilty, is facing a fine of up to $1.8 million after the Environmental Protection Authority alleged the company did not take all reasonable steps to reduce the risk of a large amount of a chemical detergent from flowing into Altona’s Cherry Creek and Cherry Lake.
The EPA says 20 tonnes of dead fish were hauled from the lake and creek.Credit:Jason South
Following the March 6 spill, 20 tonnes of dead fish, including carp and eels, had to be hauled from the creek system that flows to Port Phillip Bay, and 36 megalitres of contaminated water was pumped to the sewers.
According to the EPA, the spill involved about 13,000 litres of the chemical detergent known as Teric N9, which is used in shampoos and cleaning products but is harmful if swallowed and is toxic to fish when, in high concentrations, it causes oxygen levels in the water to drop.
The authority alleges the company contravened its general environmental duty under the Environmental Protection Act 2017.
EPA chief executive Lee Miezis said the community was denied access to the creek and lake for several months.
Dead fish floating in the water at Altona’s Cherry Lake in March.Credit:Jason South
“The decision to charge [Melbourne Transport and Warehousing] and take enforcement action is in addition to the regulatory notices issued to them to clean up impacts on the waterways,” Miezis said.
Melbourne Transport and Warehousing did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication.
Miezis said management at the site was continuing as the waterway recovered from the impacts of the spill.
Bug life recently returned to the lake and creek but the authority is still monitoring for signs of fish.
The water became safe for humans and pets in late April.
In March, the business said it had spoken with residents to express its “deep concern” following the spill and acted as quickly as it could but claimed 600 litres of the detergent was spilt, not 13,000.
Hobsons Bay City Council Mayor Peter Hemphill previously labelled the incident an environmental disaster.
A mention hearing has been scheduled for January 9 at Werribee Magistrates’ Court.
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