New regulations developed by the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) have tightened controls on waste tyre storage to reduce the risk of hazardous fire.
Tyre Controls Enhanced by EPA in Australia
Chief Executive of the EPA, Nial Finegan said premises that stored more than 40 tonnes or 5,000 waste tyres were required to obtain a works approval and licence from the EPA.
“The number of used or waste tyres generated in Victoria each year is growing,” Mr Finegan said.
“Approximately six million waste passenger car tyres were unaccounted for in Victoria in 2012-13, believed to be stockpiled or illegally dumped,” he said.
“Tyre stockpiles are a growing hazard to the Victorian community and environment mainly due to the risk of fire.
“With the regulations place the EPA is in a strong position to take action by enforcing stringent rules on how they are stored,” Mr Finegan said.
He said the new regulations now in effect built on the work carried out under the Interim Waste Management Policy introduced in April 2014.
“Thirty-two inspections of high risk sites across Victoria were undertaken between May last year to March this year. As a result, 11 notices were issued requiring businesses to implement measures to reduce the environmental hazards posed by stockpiled waste tyres,” he said. “Another four sites are under investigation.”
Mr Finegan said EPA developed the new regulations with support from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), Victoria’s fire services, and with input from industry associations and tyre recycling businesses.
A transitional period of six months (until 29 October 2015) applies for occupiers of existing premises to apply for an EPA licence.