The operators of Calder Park Raceway have been fined almost $8000 for skirting licensing conditions demanded by the state’s environment watchdog.
The Environment Protection Authority Victoria has fined the Keilor motorsport centre $7773 for repeatedly failing to audit its landfill mounds.
One of the tracks is ringed by piles of dirt that were shaped to provide viewing platforms for spectators. The mounds are classified as contaminated landfill and are only permitted on the condition that they are regularly monitored by an environmental auditor, EPA metro manager Peter Kerr says.
“Many years ago, spectator mounds were created by piling dirt which would have carried some level of contaminant material,” Mr Kerr said.
“Calder is licensed to have the spectator mounds … as a condition of their licence, a monitoring program should be in place and verified by an appropriately appointed auditor pursuant to the Environment Protection Act.”
He said raceway operators had been reminded of their obligations to test the soil, but had failed to take any action.
“At least twice they have been reminded of the need for this process but as they have so far failed to comply they have been fined $7773,” he said.
Calder Raceway management were contacted for comment, but did not respond before
Star Weekly went to print.
Alexandra Laskie
