An "unknown" quantity of diesel has leaked at the CDC bus depot in Ballarat, The Courier has learned.
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While the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) said the spill has now been contained, the leak has reportedly already killed some vegetation in the area.
The EPA confirmed that it had attended the site at 802 Norman Street in Invermay Park.earlier this week.
A spokesperson for the environmental regulator said it had responded to a notification of a spill "with an unknown quantity of diesel potentially entering a stormwater drain"
The spokesperson said the EPA had attended the site to monitor whether the spill had been contained and appropriate measures taken.
"EPA was satisfied that the company had contained the spill upon inspection, in accordance with its Compliance and Enforcement Policy, and that any potential risk posed by the spill was being managed adequately."
The cleaning up of any pollution caused is the responsibility of the site owner, the EPA also said.
A CDC spokesperson said that a staff member had noticed a "small diesel leak" at the site at 802 Norman Street on Monday and had reported it to the CDC Ballarat office immediately.
"The leak has since been contained (on Monday), all relevant contingency plans were activated immediately and all relevant authorities including local council notified," they said.
However, a diesel odour in storm drains extending beyond the depot adjoining the Midlands Golf Course was still noticeable when The Courier visited the area on Thursday afternoon (December 12).
A local resident also said they believed it had caused vegetation to die on the edge of the depot site towards Creswick Road (see picture above).
The company did not respond to further enquiries about the extent of the leak and specific action taken to address any damage it may have caused to the local environment.
CDC Ballarat runs around 15 separate bus routes around the city. It also offers charter services and helps run the school bus network.
According to its current entry on the Committee for Ballarat website, there are 81 staff at the CDC Ballarat depot, including bus drivers, mechanics and administration staff.
UPDATE 10.30am MONDAY DECEMBER 16
CDC have responded to The Courier's queries, as below:
A spokesperson was unable to confirm the quantity of the spillage nor how long the leak had been happening. They said only the area at the rear of CDC Ballarat has been impacted.
In terms of specific measures taken to mitigate the damage, they said: "We are awaiting advice from EPA and any contaminated soil will be removed as per required instructions."
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