A Laverton North pest control company is considering appealing a fine for allegedly contaminating a lake in Moonee Ponds that led to the death of hundreds of yabbies.
On July 11, the Environment Protection Authority fined Amalgamated Pest Control more than $7500 for “inappropriately” using a pesticide to exterminate a wasps’ nest at Queens Park in Moonee Ponds in January this year.
EPA metropolitan manager Daniel Hunt said the pesticide was applied in “excessive concentrations”, despite a forecast of heavy rain.
“There are very clear warnings on these pesticide products that state they are not to be used in or after periods of rain to avoid contamination of waterways and aquatic organisms,” he said.
Mr Hunt said the EPA was alerted to the incident when its pollution hotline began taking calls on January 29 about a mass exodus of yabbies from the water.
Callers reported that the yabbies were fleeing the lake and being eaten by birds.
APC chief executive Mick Farr said the company would “cop the fine on the chin” if it were to blame, but no evidence was provided verifying the EPA’s claims.
He said the pesticide, called Bifenthrin, was applied directly into the wasps’ nest, which was under a concrete slab. “It wasn’t applied willy nilly.”
He said the company had until August to request a review or take the matter to court.
