The Winton Wetlands Restoration team has thanked Victoria’s Environment Protection Authority for $100,000 just received in much-needed funding to boost native seed propagation efforts.
The funds have come as a result of a Magistrates Court order made against local particle board manufacturer Monsbent Pty Ltd trading as D&R Henderson for breaching conditions of its licence to operate.
The court order, known as a Restorative Justice Order, in an option now available to courts in awarding penalties.
Winton Wetlands’ Restoration Manager Dr Lisa Farnsworth says EPA Victoria’s willingness to recommend these latest funds be directed by the court for environmental restoration work at the wetlands can be seen as a vote of confidence.
This work involves actions being taken to boost the local propagation of native seeds, with involvement by Yorta Yorta people, tradition custodians of the land. More details on these activities will be made available in the near future.
“Both Winton Wetlands and the northern Victorian region will benefit from the proceeds of this Restorative Project Order,” Dr Farnsworth said.
“The funding will enhance the region’s capacity for growing, sourcing, collecting and storing native seed, and provide further opportunities for traditional owners to reconnect to country here at Winton Wetlands.”
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EPA Victoria sent out a media release on the latest court-awarded funding on 24 July 2024. We reproduce it in full below:
EPA prosecution brings $100,000 to local enviro project
Conservation at Winton Wetlands will receive a $100,000 boost after a Benalla particle board manufacturer was ordered to pay for the project as part of its penalty on environmental charges from EPA Victoria.
The money will fund native seed collection, fencing off a seed collection area, tree planting for a wildlife corridor between Winton Wetlands and the Warby-Ovens National Park, and the establishment of a bush tucker garden space and corroboree circle at an education centre to produce materials for activities including basket weaving and bush tucker cooking.
Monsbent Pty Ltd and its director David Henderson entered a plea of guilty on two charges of breaching conditions of the company’s EPA licence to operate. Magistrate Trumble did not record a conviction but ordered the company to pay $100,000 to the environmental project, and a $20,000 fine.
The company director was placed on a 12 months good behaviour bond, and both the director and the company are liable for EPA’s court costs of $10,000.
EPA officers laid the charges after finding dust or nuisance airborne particles escaping the property on nine occasions between July 2021 and April 2022. The dust affected air quality and settled on vehicles and a neighbouring residential property.
The company manufactures particleboard at a premises on Yarrawonga Rd, Benalla, processing wood chips which are dried, pressed and mixed with adhesives to form wood panels.
Along with Winton Wetlands, the project will involve the Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation, Goulburn Broken Indigenous Seedbank and local community organisations such as Regent Honeyeater Project, Swamps, Rivers and Ranges, Boys to the Bush and Benalla Garden Club.
EPA Northeast Regional Manager Ben Kneebone says the environmental project at Winton Wetlands will produce practical benefits for the community and biodiversity in the district affected by the pollution.
“The seed collection and planting aspects will support native plants and wildlife,” Mr Kneebone said.
“And while the Restorative Project Order benefits the local environment, the size of the financial penalty sends a clear message to businesses that the conditions in their EPA licences are to be taken seriously,” he said.
“EPA conducts inspections and examines monitoring data, and members of the public can easily report pollution, so there is no option to just ignore the rules.”
Members of the public 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
Posted 29 July 2024
